The annual cost of living in the Kingdom increased by 3.8 percent, as determined on the basis of the increases registered among 10 consumer goods in comparison with the same period last year, according to the monthly report of the Department of Statistics and Information.

The survey revealed that the highest annual increases came within the tobacco sector, at 20.5 percent. The statistical index found that the tobacco sector therefore registered the highest increases in price.

It was followed by the transport sector with 9.4 percent; housing, water and electricity 7.5 percent; health sector, 6.9 percent; education, 5.4 percent; miscellaneous services at 4.3 percent; clothes and shoes, 4.2 percent, furnishings, two percent; and telecommunications with just over one percent.

Meanwhile, the sectors, which registered a decrease in their average costs were the culture and promotion sector with a drop of 0.1 percent; the hotel and restaurant sector registered a slight decrease of 1.6 percent; and the food and beverage sector with a 0.1 percent decline.

Turning to month-to-month statistics, the report revealed a slight increase in the metric index for the cost of living between July and June at 0.1 percent, with the metric figure for July standing at 138.1, and June at 138.

Monthly price changes also occurred in the general services and goods sector, with an increase of 1.6 percent, followed by promotion and culture with 0.4 percent, housing and water with 0.3 percent and health with 0.2 percent.

A number of consumer sectors, such as the food and beverage, furnishing and education sectors, maintained their prices and did not witness significant changes throughout the year, reported Alwatan.

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