The annual inflation rate in Saudi Arabia eased to 1.7% in April 2026 from 1.8% in the previous month, slightly below market expectations of 1.8%. Prices rose at a softer pace in housing and utilities (3.8% vs 3.9% in March), recreation, sport and culture (1.8% vs 2.0%), restaurant and accommodation services (1.0% vs 2.2%), and personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services (6.3% vs 8.2%). Additionally, deflation continued in clothing and footwear (-0.3% vs -0.1%) and furnishings, household equipment and maintenance (unchanged at -0.5%). Meanwhile, costs increased further in food and beverages (0.6% vs 0.3%), transport (1.0% vs 0.9%), information and communication (1.3% vs 1.0%), and insurance and financial services (2.3% vs 2.1%), while inflation remained steady for tobacco (0.4%), health (0.4%), and education (1.4%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.2% in April, easing slightly from 0.3% in the previous month.