Inflation Saudi Arabia 2018
Average inflation: 2.4%
Inflation in 2018
Inflation is normal at 2.4%, around the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in January at 3.1%. The lowest inflation was in December at 1.9%.
- Highest month
- January: 3.1%
- Lowest month
- December: 1.9%
- 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 28.4%. The lowest price increase was in Clothing and footwear with an average of -7.0%.
- Highest increase
- Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics: 28.4%
- Lowest increase
- Clothing and footwear: -7.0%
Historical Context
Inflation is 1.0 percentage points higher than the 5-year average of 1.4%.
- 5-year average
- 1.4%
- 10-year average
- 3%
- All-time high (2008)
- 9.9%
- All-time low (2001)
- -1.1%
Trend
Over the period 2016-2018, inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2017, inflation has risen by 3.2 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- +3.2 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- November: +4.3 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 0.4 percentage points above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.
Purchasing Power
At this inflation rate, purchasing power noticeably decreases. Without a salary increase, you can buy less with the same money.
What you could buy for SAR 100 this year will cost approximately SAR 102.40 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2018
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3.1% | +3.6 |
| February | 2.9% | +3.5 |
| March | 2.9% | +3.6 |
| April | 2.5% | +3.2 |
| May | 2.4% | +3.1 |
| June | 2.3% | +2.8 |
| July | 2.2% | +3.0 |
| August | 2.3% | +3.0 |
| September | 2.1% | +2.9 |
| October | 2.1% | +3.3 |
| November | 2.6% | +4.3 |
| December | 1.9% | +3.0 |
| Average | 2.4% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.