2026.05.1406:47:35UTC+00Saudi Arabia Inflation Eases Slightly in April

Saudi Arabia’s annual inflation rate eased to 1.7% in April 2026, down from 1.8% in March and slightly below market expectations of 1.8%. Price growth slowed in several categories, including housing and utilities (3.8% vs 3.9% in March), recreation, sport and culture (1.8% vs 2.0%), restaurant and accommodation services (1.0% vs 2.2%), and personal care, social protection, and other miscellaneous goods and services (6.3% vs 8.2%).

Deflation persisted in clothing and footwear (-0.3% vs -0.1%) and in furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance (unchanged at -0.5%). In contrast, prices accelerated in food and beverages (0.6% vs 0.3%), transport (1.0% vs 0.9%), information and communication (1.3% vs 1.0%), and insurance and financial services (2.3% vs 2.1%). Inflation held steady for tobacco (0.4%), health (0.4%), and education (1.4%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.2% in April, slightly below the 0.3% increase recorded in March.