The annual inflation rate in Saudi Arabia stood at 1.8% in August 2026, unchanged from the previous three months and in line with market expectations. Prices mainly increased for transport (2.0% vs 1.4% in July), recreation, sport and culture (2.8% vs 2.4%), insurance and financial services (1.7% vs 1.4%), and personal care, social protection and miscellaneous (3.5% vs 2.9%). Inflation also continued to rise for food and beverages (1.4% vs 1.5%), housing and utilities (3.9% vs 4.2%), and restaurants and accommodation services (1.4% vs 2.0%). On the other hand, costs declined at a faster pace for clothing and footwear (-0.5% vs -0.4%) and furnishings, household equipment and maintenance (-0.6% vs -0.5%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew by 0.1% in August, marking the softest rise since December and slowing from a 0.2% gain in the preceding period.