The average monthly pay of Saudi citizens effectively dropped from SR5,349 in 2011 to SR4,801 in 2012 because of inflation, according to a survey carried out by the economic reporting unit of Al-Eqtisadiah.

The survey found that salaries of both men and women employees declined sharply, but the decline in men's case was more than in women's. Men's salaries declined by SR371 and women's by SR211.

Saudi male employees in the private sector earned on average SR5,315 a month at the end of 2012, double the earnings of their female colleagues, who got SR2,613.

Inflation reached 3.6 percent at the end of 2012. This percentage had a negative impact on the average income of Saudis.