The cost of living index in Saudi Arabia rose by 1.1 percent in October 2013 compared to the same month last year, an official statement issued by the General Statistics Department said on Tuesday.
The department said prices of beverages and cigarettes rose by 6.6 percent during the month while prices of foodstuffs and livestock increased by 4.2 percent, a major factor that raised the index.
The equipment and transport sector showed an increase of 3.7 percent while prices of manufactured goods were up by 0.5 percent, oil and ghee 0.4 percent and preliminary goods 0.3 percent.
“Prices of other commodities fell by 18.9 percent, including chemicals (5.7 percent) and manufactured goods 3.0 percent. The index showed that wholesale prices of goods in October 2013 reached by 159.5 points compared to 159.2 points in the previous month.
The department said the rise in the cost of living index was mainly because of an increase in prices of foodstuffs (2.0 percent) and other goods (0.4 percent). Prices of chemicals on the other hand declined by 3.1 percent.
Saudi cost of living index up 1.1%
