Qatar's CPI Sees Monthly Dip, Annual Rise in April 2026

Qatar's Consumer Price Index (CPI) for April 2026 reached 110.61 points, marking a monthly decline of 0.74% compared to March 2026, according to official figures released in Doha on May 18. The CPI, however, registered an annual increase of 2.62% when compared to April 2025. This key economic data was provided by the Qatar News Agency (QNA), detailing the nation's inflationary trends. The report from Doha on May 18 offered a full overview of price changes across various sectors of the Qatari economy, reflecting both short-term fluctuations and year-on-year growth.

Monthly Price Movements Detailed

The monthly decline in Qatar's Consumer Price Index was primarily driven by decreases across several groups, indicating a moderation in prices for certain categories of goods and services during the month. The 'recreation and culture' group saw a significant drop of 6.19%, representing the largest monthly decrease among the monitored categories. Additionally, the 'transport' group registered a decrease of 0.88%, contributing to the overall downward pressure on the index. The 'clothing and footwear' group declined by 0.61%, reflecting reduced costs for apparel and related items. The 'miscellaneous goods and services' group also contributed to the overall dip, falling by 0.18% over the month. The 'health' group recorded a marginal decrease of 0.10%, indicating a slight reduction in healthcare-related expenses.

Conversely, some groups experienced monthly increases, offsetting some of the overall decline. The 'food and beverages' group rose by 1.48%, suggesting a notable increase in the cost of essential consumables. Prices for 'housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels' increased by 0.13%, reflecting a slight uptick in residential and utility costs. The 'furniture and household equipment' group saw a 0.12% rise, indicating higher prices for home furnishings and appliances. The 'restaurants and hotels' group also edged up by 0.07%, showing a minor increase in dining and accommodation expenses. No monthly change was recorded in the 'tobacco', 'communications', and 'education' groups, indicating stable prices in these sectors from March to April 2026.

Annual Inflation Trends

Annual data indicated significant price increases across several groups, showcasing the broader inflationary environment compared to the previous year. The 'miscellaneous goods and services' group experienced the most substantial annual rise, increasing by 13.82% compared to April 2025. This significant jump notes a considerable increase in the cost of various personal goods and services over the 12-month period. The 'food and beverages' group also saw a substantial increase of 10.41% over the year, showing the rising cost of everyday food items for consumers. The 'clothing and footwear' group's prices grew by 4.71%, indicating higher costs for apparel. While the 'education' group experienced a 2.09% increase, reflecting rising educational expenses. Prices for 'housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels' rose by 1.62% annually, contributing to the overall cost of living.

Further annual increases were observed in the 'restaurants and hotels' group, which went up by 0.90%, and the 'furniture and household equipment' group, which increased by 0.81%. The 'communications' group registered a 0.75% rise, indicating slightly higher costs for communication services.

Conversely, some groups showed annual price declines, providing some relief in specific sectors. The 'recreation and culture' group decreased by 3.18% year-on-year, suggesting lower costs for leisure activities and cultural events. The 'transport' group's prices fell by 0.55%, indicating a slight reduction in transportation expenses. The 'health' group saw a marginal decline of 0.09% compared to April 2025. The 'tobacco' group remained unchanged on a yearly basis, maintaining stable price levels.

CPI Calculation and Scope

Qatar's Consumer Price Index is a full measure compiled from 12 main groups, encompassing a broad basket of 737 goods and services that are representative of household consumption patterns. The index calculation uses 2018 as its base year, providing a consistent reference point for measuring price changes over time. The underlying data for this calculation is derived from the 2017-2018 Household Income and Expenditure Survey, ensuring the CPI accurately reflects the spending habits of the population. When excluding 'housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels' from the calculation, a modified CPI for April 2026 registered 115.39 points. This modified index showed a decrease of 0.92% compared to March 2026, indicating a more pronounced monthly decline when volatile housing and utility costs are removed. Conversely, the CPI, excluding 'housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels', recorded an increase of 2.84% compared to April 2025, noting a stronger annual inflationary trend in other sectors.