Housing and food drive Saudi inflation as October rate holds

Saudi Arabia’s inflation rate remained steady at 2.2% in October 2025, unchanged from September, according to the latest report by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). 

On a year-on-year basis, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.3%, up from 1.9% in October 2024.

The slight increase was largely driven by higher prices in housing, food, and services. 

Housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuel costs rose by 4.5%, mainly due to a 5.7% jump in actual housing rents. 

Food and beverage prices increased 1.5%, with meat prices climbing 2.5%. Restaurant and accommodation services also saw a 1.1% increase, pushed by higher food service charges.

Additional price hikes were recorded in:

• Personal care and other goods: +5.9%, including a 22% surge in jewelry and watch prices.
• Transportation: +1.6%, due to a 7.1% rise in passenger transport services.
• Insurance and financial services: +8.2%.

Meanwhile, prices declined in the furniture and home appliances sector (-0.5%) and information and communication equipment (-0.2%).

GASTAT also reported that the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) rose 2.9% year-on-year and 0.5% month-on-month, reflecting increased pre-retail pricing.

The CPI tracks price changes for a fixed basket of 582 consumer goods and services, while the WPI monitors 343 goods at the wholesale level.