Over the 12 months to October 2018, price change for consumer goods and services (excluding housing) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries rose by 4.2%, according to figures released today by the GCC Statistical Center.

The biggest increases were registered for tobacco 10.2%, transport 9.1%, restaurant and hotels by 6.5%, food 4.2%, recreation 3.2%, furnishings 3.1%, health 2.6%, education 2.0%, communication 1.6%, miscellaneous 0.8%, and clothing and footwear 0.7%.

In terms of contributions to the 4.2% annual increase, transport contributed 1.5%, food 1.1%, restaurant and hotels 0.5%, furnishings 0.3%, education 0.2%, “tobacco”, “health”, “communication”, “recreation” and “miscellaneous” 0.1% each.

Over the 12 months till October 2018, the country contributions to overall GCC consumer price change were Saudi Arabia 2.3%, UAE 1.7%, the Sultanate and Kuwait 0.1% each while there is no contribution recorded in Bahrain and Qatar this month.

The GCC overall consumer price decreased in October 2018 compared with the previous month by -0.2%. The most significant price decrease during October 2018 were in transport -0.9%, miscellaneous -0.3%, furnishings -0.2%, “clothing”, “health” and “restaurant and hotels” by -0.1% each. In contrast, “Food” and “Education” prices

increased by 0.2% each while there is no change in prices of “Tobacco”, “Communication” and “Recreation” compared with the previous month.

The most significant price decrease during October 2018 were in transport -0.9%, miscellaneous -0.3%, furnishings -0.2%, “clothing”, “health” and “restaurant and hotels” by -0.1% each. In contrast, “Food” and “Education” prices increased by 0.2% each while there is no change in prices of “Tobacco”, “Communication” and “Recreation” compared with the previous month.