Inflation rates by country and year

-3.2%6.2%15.7%25.1%34.6%
-3.2%6.2%15.7%25.1%34.6%
19642.8%
19940.6%
20252.1%
Source: World Bank

Data: World Bank, annual %. For information only — not financial advice.

Year2025Inflation Rate2.1%

Behind the curve

Turning points in Saudi Arabia

  1. 1975↑ Upward pressure

    The first oil shock — Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

    The surge in oil revenue after the 1973 shock fuelled a spending boom that overheated the economy and pushed inflation up sharply in the mid-1970s.

    Saudi Central Bank
  2. 2008↑ Upward pressure

    The world food price crisis — Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

    Saudi Arabia imports much of its food, so the 2007–08 global price surge fed through to domestic prices.

    Saudi Central Bank
  3. 2020↓ Downward pressure

    The pandemic recession — Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

    The pandemic and the oil-price collapse cut demand and activity, easing inflation in 2020.

    Saudi Central Bank
  4. 2022↑ Upward pressure

    The post-pandemic inflation surge — Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

    Higher global food and energy prices lifted Saudi inflation in 2022, though the riyal's dollar peg limited the pass-through.

    Saudi Central Bank

These are selected historical influences, not a complete account of inflation. An upward-pressure event can coincide with a peak when its inflationary effect has already occurred or when other forces begin pushing inflation lower. The markers show the years in which events occurred, although their effects may extend into later years.

What is the inflation in Saudi Arabia?

The annual inflation rate in Saudi Arabia was 2.1% in 2025, the most recent year in the World Bank dataset. That means prices rose 2.1% on average compared with the year before. Use the chart above to explore Saudi Arabia's full inflation history from 1964 to 2025, and to compare it with any other country.

How inflation in Saudi Arabia has changed

Inflation in Saudi Arabia peaked at 34.6% in 1975 and reached its lowest point at -3.2% in 1986. Averaged across the 62 years of available data (1964–2025), the rate has been 3.4% per year.

Frequently asked questions about inflation in Saudi Arabia

What is the current inflation rate in Saudi Arabia?

The latest available annual figure is 2.1% in 2025, from the World Bank. Because the figures are reported annually, they may not reflect the most recent monthly reading published by Saudi Arabia's statistical office.

What was the highest inflation rate in Saudi Arabia?

The highest annual inflation rate on record is 34.6%, reached in 1975.

What was the lowest inflation rate in Saudi Arabia?

The lowest annual inflation rate on record is -3.2%, recorded in 1986.

Where does the inflation data for Saudi Arabia come from?

All figures come from the World Bank's World Development Indicators (indicator FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG), which report annual consumer price inflation for more than 200 countries and territories from 1960 onward.