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%.
