The average cost of living for a Saudi family remained stable during the first nine month of the year 2001, with the local cost of living index closing at 111.7 points at the end of the third quarter, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Planning.
The figure ranged between 111.4 and 111.9 on a monthly basis in the first nine-months period. Spending on food supplies decreased by 0.1 points in the third quarter of 2001 compared with the second quarter of the same year. A similar fall was reported on utilities spending during the same period, including water, electricity and gas.
Health care spending slightly rose from 103.3 points in the first quarter of 2001 to 103.5 points in the second quarter of the same year and to 103.6 point in the third quarter. Thus, the average spending on health increased by 0.3 points during the first nine months of 2001.
The Saudi cost of living index declined in 2000 for the fourth consecutive year, registering a slight 0.9 percent drop. The drop was attributed largely to the continued decline in the price of foodstuffs and clothing. The general cost pf living index dropped 1.3 percent in 1999, compared to an 0.2 percent decline in 1998 and 0.4 percent in 1997. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
