Qatar CPI increases 0.76% in March driven by food prices

30/04/2026 05:14 AST

Qatar's consumer prices rose 0.76 percent in March from the previous month, driven by higher food and transport costs, official data showed.

The Consumer Price Index reached 111.44 points, according to data released by the country's National Planning Council, the Qatar News Agency reported.

Across the region, inflation trends remain uneven, with Saudi Arabia's CPI in March up just 0.3 percent compared to February, while Egypt saw annual urban inflation slow to 10.1 percent in January from 10.3 percent a month earlier.

"When reviewing the most significant changes in the CPI during March 2026 compared to the previous month, the results show that prices rose in three groups, while four groups saw a decrease, and prices remained unchanged in five groups," QNA reported.

Notable price increases were recorded in the categories of food and beverages, which rose by 6.9 percent; transport, which increased by 1.63 percent; and clothing and footwear, which saw a rise of 0.48 percent.

In contrast, price declines were seen in miscellaneous goods and services, down 2.17 percent; recreation and culture, down 1.82 percent; and housing, water, electricity and fuel, down 0.11 percent. Prices of restaurants and hotels also dropped, down 0.07 percent.

Prices remained unchanged for the groups of tobacco, furniture and household equipment, health, communications, and education.

When excluding the housing, water, electricity, and fuel group, the CPI for March stood at 116.46 points, representing a 0.94 percent increase compared to February.

The index, based on 2018 prices, measures inflation across 12 categories covering 737 goods and services.

The rise in inflation comes as Qatar advances the final phase of its National Vision 2030 agenda through the Third National Development Strategy, which runs from 2024 to 2030 and targets stronger non-hydrocarbon growth alongside expanded liquefied natural gas production.

The strategy aims to achieve average annual economic growth of about 4 percent by accelerating diversification efforts across sectors including manufacturing, logistics, technology and services.

Arab News