Saudi Arabia's annual inflation inched up to 3.4% in January from 3.3% a month earlier as higher housing expenses continued to drive up living costs, government data showed on Wednesday. Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, with a 25.5% weight of the consumer basket, the largest category, rose 6.6% from a year earlier. "Actual rents for housing increased by 7.7% in January 2023, reflecting the increase in rents for apartments of 19.3%," the country's General Authority for Statistics said. Food and beverage prices, which were the main driver of inflation during much of 2022, rose 4.2% from a year earlier. Compared to December, consumer prices rose 0.2%, the statistics agency said.