The consumer price index pointed out that the inflation rate in the Sultanate increased by 0.75% in December 2018 compared to the corresponding month in 2017, according to the latest statistics published by the (NCSI). It also pointed out that the inflation rate decreased by 0.29% compared to November 2018.

The price index's increase in December 2018 compared to December 2017 is attributed to the increase in the key groups, such as the housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels group by 0.59%, transport group by 3.43%, hotels and restaurants group by 0.48%, commodities and miscellaneous services group by 1.42%, education group by 2.02%, culture and entertainment group by 0.09%. The annual inflation rate for 2018 registered an increase by 0.88% compared to the annual inflation rate in 2017.While the foodstuffs and non-alcoholic drinks group decreased by 0.48%, the garments and shoes group decreased by 0.56%, communications group decreased by 0.32%, furniture, accessories, home appliances, domestic maintenance group fell by 0.73%, health group dropped by 3.53% and tobacco group declined by 0.15%.At the governorate level, Dhofar witnessed the highest increase in inflation rate by 1.52% followed by Al-Batinah North by 1.5%, Ad-Dakhliyah by 0.95%, Muscat by 0.41%, Ash-Sharqiah North and South by 0.31%. The inflation rate declined by 0.07% in Adh-Dhahirah and 0.38% in Al-Buraymi. Compared to November 2018, the consumer price index decreased by 0.29%. The transport group fell by 1.33%, clothes and shoes group by 0.59%, hotels, restaurants, culture and recreation group by 0.02%, communications by 0.04%, furniture, home appliances and domestic maintenance by 0.05%. On the other hand, the housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels group increased by 0.03%, foodstuffs and non-alcoholic group by 0.07%, commodities and miscellaneous services group by 0.13%. The inflation rate for the education, health and other groups stabilized.