Saudi Arabia’s Inflation Rate Remains Stable at 2.2% in October 2025

Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: Saudi Arabia’s inflation rate remained steady at 2.2 percent in October 2025, unchanged from the previous month of September, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

In its monthly statistical report released on Thursday, GASTAT noted that the annual inflation rate, or the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose by 0.3 percent compared to October 2024, when it stood at 1.9 percent.

The report attributed the annual increase primarily to higher costs in key categories. Prices for housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels increased by 4.5 percent, driven by a 5.7 percent rise in actual housing rents, largely influenced by higher rents for primary residences.

The food and beverage sector saw a 1.5 percent increase, led by a 2.5 percent rise in fresh, chilled, or frozen meat prices. Similarly, restaurant and accommodation services prices rose by 1.1 percent, following a 1.4 percent increase in food and beverage service prices.

In addition, prices in the personal care, social protection, and other goods and services sector rose by 5.9 percent, fueled by a 19.9 percent surge in personal goods prices, including a 22 percent increase in jewelry and watches.

The transportation sector recorded a 1.6 percent rise, mainly due to a 7.1 percent increase in passenger transport services, while insurance and financial services climbed 8.2 percent, driven by a 13.2 percent rise in insurance prices.

Conversely, prices in the furniture, household appliances, and routine home maintenance sector declined by 0.5 percent, reflecting a 4.3 percent drop in furniture, furnishings, and carpets. The information and communication sector also saw a 0.2 percent decrease, influenced by a 6.3 percent fall in communication equipment prices.

Meanwhile, the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) recorded an annual increase of 2.9 percent in October 2025 compared to the same month last year, with a monthly rise of 0.5 percent from September 2025.

The CPI tracks price changes for a fixed basket of 582 consumer goods and services, while the WPI monitors 343 items at the pre-retail stage, reflecting broader trends in production and distribution costs across the Kingdom’s economy.