Inflation Saudi Arabia 2017
Average inflation: -0.8%
Inflation in 2017
There is deflation with consumer prices declining by 0.8%.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in January at -0.5%. The lowest inflation was in November at -1.7%.
- Highest month
- January: -0.5%
- Lowest month
- November: -1.7%
- Difference
- 1.2 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics with an average of 26.5%. The lowest price increase was in Clothing and footwear with an average of -3.0%.
- Highest increase
- Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics: 26.5%
- Lowest increase
- Clothing and footwear: -3.0%
Historical Context
Inflation is 2.5 percentage points lower than the 5-year average of 1.7%.
- 5-year average
- 1.7%
- 10-year average
- 3.7%
- All-time high (2008)
- 9.9%
- All-time low (2001)
- -1.1%
Trend
Over the period 2015-2017, inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2016, inflation has fallen by 2.9 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- -2.9 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- March: -3.3 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 2.8 percentage points below the ECB target of 2.0%. Too low inflation may indicate economic weakness.
Purchasing Power
Due to deflation, purchasing power increases. Money becomes more valuable instead of less.
What you could buy for SAR 100 this year will cost approximately SAR 99.20 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2017
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| January | -0.5% | -3.0 |
| February | -0.6% | -3.2 |
| March | -0.7% | -3.3 |
| April | -0.7% | -3.2 |
| May | -0.7% | -3.0 |
| June | -0.5% | -2.8 |
| July | -0.8% | -3.1 |
| August | -0.7% | -2.8 |
| September | -0.8% | -2.7 |
| October | -1.2% | -2.8 |
| November | -1.7% | -3.0 |
| December | -1.1% | -2.1 |
| Average | -0.8% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.