Saudi Arabia: 2.2% inflation in May due to high food and transportation prices

Data from the General Authority for Statistics in Saudi Arabia showed, on Wednesday, that the consumer price index in Saudi Arabia rose by 2.2% on an annual basis in May, slowing from 2.3% in April.
The authority said in a statement that the food and beverage sector increased by 4.2% and transport prices increased by 4%.
She added that the rise in the food and beverage division had a “significant impact on the rise in annual inflation in May 2022 due to its weight in the index.”
The Food and Beverage division recorded an increase of 4.2%; Affected by the rise in food prices by 4.6%, and in particular by the increase in meat prices by 3.4%, the rise in this section had a significant impact on the rise in annual inflation in May 2022 due to its weight in the index (18.8%).
The Transportation Department also recorded an increase of 4.0%; Affected by the increase in vehicle purchase prices by 4.7%, which was affected by the increase in car prices by 4.7%, as well as the miscellaneous personal goods and services section recorded an increase of 2.1%; Affected by the increase in wedding hall rental prices by 17.2%, the Education Department recorded an increase of 6.2%; Affected by the increase in secondary education fees by 13.8%.
The restaurants and hotels section recorded an increase of 4.1%; Affected by the increase in the prices of meals services by 3.9%.
The housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels section recorded an increase of 0.5%; Affected by an increase in housing rental prices by 0.5%.
While the prices of: the clothing and footwear section decreased by 1.7%; Affected by a decrease in the prices of ready-made clothes by 2.6%. Cigarette prices fell 2.1%.
On a monthly level, the consumer price index for the month of May was relatively stable compared to April 2022, rising by 0.1%. The monthly inflation index was affected by the increase in food and beverages by 0.2%, which in turn was affected by the increase in food prices by 0.2%.
Also, the prices of: the restaurants and hotels section increased by 0.8%; And the Home Furnishing and Furnishing Department by 0.7%, and the Miscellaneous Goods and Personal Services Department, Health Department, Housing Department, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, and Communications Department recorded increases of 0.1%.
While the prices of the clothing and footwear section decreased by 0.7%, and the leisure and culture section decreased by 0.2%.