​The rate of inflation in the Sultanate increased by 1.42% in July 2018 compared to the same month in 2017, according to the latest data released by the (NCSI) on consumer prices' index. It also stated that the inflation rate increased by 0.14% compared to June 2018.

The rise in the price index in July 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 is attributed to the rise in prices in major groups such as housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels by 0.6%; transport by 7.07%; restaurants and hotels by 0.35%; miscellaneous goods and services by 0.91%; and education by 4.9%.

The prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages dropped by 0.7%; clothing and footwear by 0.43%; communications by 0.22%; household furniture, equipment's, and household maintenance by 0.75%; health by 3.06%; Recreation and Culture by 0.27%; and tobacco by 0.14% in July 2018 compared to the same month of the previous year.

At the governorates level, North Al Batinah had the highest increase in inflation by 2.36%, followed by Dhofar governorate by 2.12%, and Ad-Dakhlia governorate by 1.24%. The inflation in Muscat governorate increased by 1.1%, Al Dhahirah governorate by 0.97%, North and South Al Sharqia governorates by 0.9%, and Al Buraimi by 0.4%.

In comparison to the previous month, the general consumer price index in the Sultanate went up by 0.14%. The prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 0.89%, clothing and footwear by 0.07%, restaurants and hotels by 0.39%, miscellaneous goods and services by 0.15%,

The prices of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels fell by 0.01%; transportation by 0.36%; household furniture and equipment's as well as household maintenance by 0.42%; and communications by 0.02% and health by 0.01%. Prices of education, culture, Recreation, and tobacco groups remained stable.

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