DAMMAM, 11 June 2007 — The cost of living in the Kingdom increased by 2.9 percent in April 2007 compared to the same period last year, report from the General Statistical Information Department of the Ministry of Economy and Planning said.
The increase registered in the price of food and drinks was 6 percent, rent and cost of maintenance of buildings, fuel and water increased by 5.9 percent, commodities and services, medical care by 2.3 percent and household furnishing by 0.8 percent.
On the other hand, cost of living in April compared to the previous month was barely 0.1 percent.
House rents increased by 1.5 percent in April compared to the previous month while the maintenance and repair of buildings, costs of sewage and energy and fuel remained steady.
Cost of medical care increased 0.4 percent, resulting in medical care expenses’ rise by 0.8 percent and medications by 0.1 percent, while other medical expenses remained unchanged.
The report said the prices of commodities and utilities registered 0.4 percent increase while the cost of cleaning materials and personal hygiene remained stable.
The transportation and telecommunication sector showed a 0.1 percent increase, making a clear effect on the operation cost of the private vehicles by 0.3 percent though the public transportation charges did not increase.
The food and drinks showed a fall of 0.6 percent, showing a 8.2 percent fall in the price of fresh vegetable while there was a 6.1 percent increase in the price of pulses and beans.
Price of eggs fell by 2.4 percent, meat and poultry by 1.7 percent, while the price of fresh fruits rose by 1.5 percent, dry fruit price rose by 0.9 percent.
The cost of recreations fell by 0.3 percent as result of a 2.9 percent fall in the price of entertainment and amusement devices. Education and entertainment costs fell by 0.3 percent.
Textiles and clothing and footwear sectors had a fall of 0.1 percent. The stitching charges rose by 0.9 percent and the price of men’s ready wear by 0.1 percent while the prices of children’s wears, textiles and women’s garments have remained steady.
The household furnishings experienced an average of 0.1 percent fall in the month, the report said.
