Inflation Saudi Arabia 2021

Average inflation: 3.1%

Current Inflation

Inflation is high at 3.1%, well above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in June at 6.2%. The lowest inflation was in August at 0.3%.

Highest month
June: 6.2%
Lowest month
August: 0.3%
Difference
5.9 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Transport with an average of 10.5%. The lowest price increase was in Education with an average of -4.7%.

Highest increase
Transport: 10.5%
Lowest increase
Education: -4.7%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 1.9% higher than the 5-year average of 1.2%.

5-year average
1.2%
10-year average
1.8%
All-time high (2008)
9.9%
All-time low (2019)
-2.1%

Trend

Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2020, inflation has risen by -0.3 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
-0.3 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
August: -5.9 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 1.1% 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 €100 this year will cost approximately €103.10 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2021

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
5.6%
+2.5vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
6.6%
+3.5vs avg.
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Clothing and footwear
2.3%
-0.8vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
-2.4%
-5.5vs avg.
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Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
4.2%
+1.1vs avg.
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Health
1.7%
-1.4vs avg.
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Transport
10.5%
+7.4vs avg.
More details →
Communication
7.7%
+4.6vs avg.
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Recreation and culture
3.1%
-0.0vs avg.
More details →
Education
-4.7%
-7.8vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
4.6%
+1.5vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
2.8%
-0.3vs avg.
More details →

Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2020
January 5.7% +5.0
February 5.2% +4.0
March 4.9% +3.4
April 5.3% +4.0
May 5.7% +4.6
June 6.2% +5.7
July 0.4% -5.7
August 0.3% -5.9
September 0.6% -5.1
October 0.8% -5.0
November 1.1% -4.7
December 1.2% -4.1
Average 3.1%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 11/01/2026.

See also