As of July 2024, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in South Africa, an economic indicator providing information on the change of prices over time, was measured at 123.5 points regarding food products. This is symbolizing an increase of five points from the previous year.

Key information about South Africa Consumer Price Index CPI growth

• South Africa Consumer Price Index (CPI) growth was measured at 6.8 % YoY in Apr 2023, compared with a rate of 7.1 % in the previous month.
• South Africa Consumer Price Index growth data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1958 to Apr 2023, with an averaged number of 6.3 % YoY.
• The data reached an all-time high of 20.9 % YoY in Jan 1986 and a record low of -2.0 % YoY in Jan 2004.

CEIC calculates Consumer Price Index Growth from monthly Consumer Price Index. Statistics South Africa provides Consumer Price Index with base December 2021=100. Consumer Price Index covers Urban areas only as it is the official index used for inflation calculation in South Africa. Consumer Price Index Growth prior to January 2009 is sourced from the International Monetary Fund. [COVID-19-IMPACT]

Inflation Rate in South Africa remained unchanged at 2.80 percent in May. This dataset provides - South Africa Inflation Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

As of November 2023, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in South Africa, an economic indicator providing information on the change of prices over time, was measured at 112 points regarding medical products. This is an increase of 7.8 points from the previous year.

South Africa ZA: Consumer Price Index (CPI): Local Source Base Year: Communication data was reported at 99.483 Dec2021=100 in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 99.742 Dec2021=100 for 2022. South Africa ZA: Consumer Price Index (CPI): Local Source Base Year: Communication data is updated yearly, averaging 101.471 Dec2021=100 from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2023, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 107.192 Dec2021=100 in 2009 and a record low of 99.483 Dec2021=100 in 2023. South Africa ZA: Consumer Price Index (CPI): Local Source Base Year: Communication data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.OECD.MEI: Consumer Price Index: COICOP 1999: Non OECD Member: Annual. The CPI is constructed to measure changes over time in the general level of prices of consumer goods and services that households acquire, use, or pay for. The index aims to measure the change in consumer prices over time. Types of prices: Prices used are actual transaction prices, including Value Added Tax. Unconditional discounts are reflected. Money off coupons, loyalty cards, free gifts, trading stamps and free extra product are ignored. Price collection method: For Commodities, taxi fares, rentals and restaurant: Price Collectors visit sampled outlets in order to record prices ('Field-based collection'). Mostly for prices for Services: Staff based at Statistics SA carry out the collection by post, fax, e-mail and telephone survey ('Head office collection'). The index includes a measure of owner-occupied housing: Rental equivalence approach is used. Treatment of missing prices: The missing price of a specific product at a specific respondent is indirectly imputed by ignoring the respondent when calculating the geometric mean of all the respondent price relatives for the specific product. Selection of replacement items: The price collector selects a replacement variety when the current variety is permanently unavailable. Adjustments for quality differences: No quality adjustments are made on prices in the CPI Introducing new products: New products are only included if it substitutes existing products in the market. Completely new products that enter the market are not included in the basket before the next IES, weight update is done. Seasonal items: Prices are collected for specified in season months.; Index series starts in January 2008

As of November 2023, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in South Africa, an economic indicator providing information on the change of prices over time, was measured at 111 points regarding medical services. This is an increase of six points from the previous year.

As of November 2023, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in South Africa, an economic indicator providing information on the change of prices over time, was measured at 104.9 points regarding actual rentals for housing. This is an increase of 2.7 points from the previous year.

Cost of food in South Africa increased 4.80 percent in May of 2025 over the same month in the previous year. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - South Africa Food Inflation - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

South Africa’s inflation has been quite stable for the past years, levelling off between 3.2 and 6.9 percent, and is in fact expected to stabilize at around 4.5 percent in the future. South Africa is a mixed economy, generating most of its GDP through the services sector, especially tourism. However, the country struggles with unemployment and poverty.

Inflation who?

The inflation rate of a country is an important key factor to determine the country’s economic strength. It is calculated using the price increase of a defined product basket, containing goods and services on which the average consumer spends money throughout the year. They include, for example, expenses for groceries, clothes, rent, utilities, but also recreational activities, and raw materials (e.g. gas, oil), as well as federal fees and taxes. Some of these goods are more volatile than others – food prices, for example, are considered less reliable. The European Central Bank aims to keep inflation at around two percent in the long run.

What happened in 2016?

In 2016, South Africa’s inflation rate peaked at over 6.3 percent, and gross domestic product, and thus economic growth , took a hit, a sure indicator that something was affecting the country’s economic scaffolding: Low growth due to weak demand and an uncertain political future caused a crisis; then-President Jacob Zuma’s alleged mismanagement and unstable reign steeped in controversy and criminal charges even caused the economy’s outlook to be downgraded by ratings agencies. Zuma was relieved of his office in 2018 – ever since, inflation, GDP, and economic growth seem to have stabilized.

South Africa Consumer Price Index (CPI): Western Cape: Housing and Utilities: Actual Rental for Housing data was reported at 113.000 Dec2021=100 in Dec 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 112.100 Dec2021=100 for Nov 2024. South Africa Consumer Price Index (CPI): Western Cape: Housing and Utilities: Actual Rental for Housing data is updated monthly, averaging 75.000 Dec2021=100 from Jan 2008 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 204 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 113.000 Dec2021=100 in Dec 2024 and a record low of 45.500 Dec2021=100 in Feb 2008. South Africa Consumer Price Index (CPI): Western Cape: Housing and Utilities: Actual Rental for Housing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics South Africa. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.I032: Consumer Price Index: by Region: Dec2021=100.

South Africa ZA: Consumer Price Index (CPI): Local Source Base Year: Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages data was reported at 118.700 Dec2021=100 in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 107.108 Dec2021=100 for 2022. South Africa ZA: Consumer Price Index (CPI): Local Source Base Year: Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages data is updated yearly, averaging 19.562 Dec2021=100 from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2023, with 54 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 118.700 Dec2021=100 in 2023 and a record low of 0.677 Dec2021=100 in 1970. South Africa ZA: Consumer Price Index (CPI): Local Source Base Year: Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.OECD.MEI: Consumer Price Index: COICOP 1999: Non OECD Member: Annual. The CPI is constructed to measure changes over time in the general level of prices of consumer goods and services that households acquire, use, or pay for. The index aims to measure the change in consumer prices over time. Types of prices: Prices used are actual transaction prices, including Value Added Tax. Unconditional discounts are reflected. Money off coupons, loyalty cards, free gifts, trading stamps and free extra product are ignored. Price collection method: For Commodities, taxi fares, rentals and restaurant: Price Collectors visit sampled outlets in order to record prices ('Field-based collection'). Mostly for prices for Services: Staff based at Statistics SA carry out the collection by post, fax, e-mail and telephone survey ('Head office collection'). The index includes a measure of owner-occupied housing: Rental equivalence approach is used. Treatment of missing prices: The missing price of a specific product at a specific respondent is indirectly imputed by ignoring the respondent when calculating the geometric mean of all the respondent price relatives for the specific product. Selection of replacement items: The price collector selects a replacement variety when the current variety is permanently unavailable. Adjustments for quality differences: No quality adjustments are made on prices in the CPI Introducing new products: New products are only included if it substitutes existing products in the market. Completely new products that enter the market are not included in the basket before the next IES, weight update is done. Seasonal items: Prices are collected for specified in season months.; Index series starts in January 2008

As of November 2023, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in South Africa, an economic indicator providing information on the change of prices over time, was measured at 111.5 points regarding property maintenance and repair. This is an increase of 5.7 points from the previous year.

South Africa Consumer Price Index (CPI): Weights: Housing and Utilities: Owners Equivalent Rent data was reported at 11.720 Per 100 in 2024. This stayed constant from the previous number of 11.720 Per 100 for 2023. South Africa Consumer Price Index (CPI): Weights: Housing and Utilities: Owners Equivalent Rent data is updated yearly, averaging 11.485 Per 100 from Jan 2009 (Median) to 2024, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.930 Per 100 in 2021 and a record low of 10.950 Per 100 in 2016. South Africa Consumer Price Index (CPI): Weights: Housing and Utilities: Owners Equivalent Rent data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics South Africa. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.I035: Consumer Price Index: Weights (Old Classification).

Kenya's inflation rate decreased to 3.6 percent in September 2024. The indicator measure price variations in goods and services compared to the same month one year earlier. In September 2023, inflation in Kenya stood at 6.8 percent. The current country’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.26 percent compared to the previous month, mainly due to higher prices in food and transport. For 2023, projections indicated that the annual average inflation for Kenya would be above above the rate projected in other African countries, such as South Africa and Tanzania, at almost eight percent. Inflation accelerated by food prices Kenyans feel the inflation effects mostly on groceries since food and non-alcoholic beverages account for roughly one-third of the household expenditure. As of May 2022, the category recorded a surge in prices of 12.4 percent. Furthermore, a deep look into food prices variations in Kenya reveals that vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas, and pulses were 20 percent more expensive in 2020, compared to 2019. Fruits and nuts recorded an inflation rate of 18.2 percent in the same period. Impacts on food security Fluctuating food prices in Kenya also depend on the varying domestic agricultural output. Particularly, when weather conditions are unfavorable, crop outputs are affected and, consequently, food prices increase - a scenario contributing to the persistence of food insecurity. For instance, around eight million people lacked sufficient food for consumption in Kenya as of November 2021.

South Africa ZA: Consumer Price Index (CPI): Local Source Base Year: Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels data was reported at 107.117 Dec2021=100 in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 102.125 Dec2021=100 for 2022. South Africa ZA: Consumer Price Index (CPI): Local Source Base Year: Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels data is updated yearly, averaging 76.558 Dec2021=100 from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2023, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 107.117 Dec2021=100 in 2023 and a record low of 47.983 Dec2021=100 in 2008. South Africa ZA: Consumer Price Index (CPI): Local Source Base Year: Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.OECD.MEI: Consumer Price Index: COICOP 1999: Non OECD Member: Annual. The CPI is constructed to measure changes over time in the general level of prices of consumer goods and services that households acquire, use, or pay for. The index aims to measure the change in consumer prices over time. Types of prices: Prices used are actual transaction prices, including Value Added Tax. Unconditional discounts are reflected. Money off coupons, loyalty cards, free gifts, trading stamps and free extra product are ignored. Price collection method: For Commodities, taxi fares, rentals and restaurant: Price Collectors visit sampled outlets in order to record prices ('Field-based collection'). Mostly for prices for Services: Staff based at Statistics SA carry out the collection by post, fax, e-mail and telephone survey ('Head office collection'). The index includes a measure of owner-occupied housing: Rental equivalence approach is used. Treatment of missing prices: The missing price of a specific product at a specific respondent is indirectly imputed by ignoring the respondent when calculating the geometric mean of all the respondent price relatives for the specific product. Selection of replacement items: The price collector selects a replacement variety when the current variety is permanently unavailable. Adjustments for quality differences: No quality adjustments are made on prices in the CPI Introducing new products: New products are only included if it substitutes existing products in the market. Completely new products that enter the market are not included in the basket before the next IES, weight update is done. Seasonal items: Prices are collected for specified in season months.; Index series starts in January 2008

South Africa ZA: Consumer Price Index (CPI): Local Source Base Year: Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance data was reported at 108.183 Dec2021=100 in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 103.067 Dec2021=100 for 2022. South Africa ZA: Consumer Price Index (CPI): Local Source Base Year: Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance data is updated yearly, averaging 86.767 Dec2021=100 from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2023, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 108.183 Dec2021=100 in 2023 and a record low of 71.083 Dec2021=100 in 2008. South Africa ZA: Consumer Price Index (CPI): Local Source Base Year: Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.OECD.MEI: Consumer Price Index: COICOP 1999: Non OECD Member: Annual. The CPI is constructed to measure changes over time in the general level of prices of consumer goods and services that households acquire, use, or pay for. The index aims to measure the change in consumer prices over time. Types of prices: Prices used are actual transaction prices, including Value Added Tax. Unconditional discounts are reflected. Money off coupons, loyalty cards, free gifts, trading stamps and free extra product are ignored. Price collection method: For Commodities, taxi fares, rentals and restaurant: Price Collectors visit sampled outlets in order to record prices ('Field-based collection'). Mostly for prices for Services: Staff based at Statistics SA carry out the collection by post, fax, e-mail and telephone survey ('Head office collection'). The index includes a measure of owner-occupied housing: Rental equivalence approach is used. Treatment of missing prices: The missing price of a specific product at a specific respondent is indirectly imputed by ignoring the respondent when calculating the geometric mean of all the respondent price relatives for the specific product. Selection of replacement items: The price collector selects a replacement variety when the current variety is permanently unavailable. Adjustments for quality differences: No quality adjustments are made on prices in the CPI Introducing new products: New products are only included if it substitutes existing products in the market. Completely new products that enter the market are not included in the basket before the next IES, weight update is done. Seasonal items: Prices are collected for specified in season months.; Index series starts in January 2008

South Africa ZA: Consumer Price Index (CPI): Local Source Base Year: Education data was reported at 109.400 Dec2021=100 in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 103.667 Dec2021=100 for 2022. South Africa ZA: Consumer Price Index (CPI): Local Source Base Year: Education data is updated yearly, averaging 71.767 Dec2021=100 from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2023, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 109.400 Dec2021=100 in 2023 and a record low of 37.883 Dec2021=100 in 2008. South Africa ZA: Consumer Price Index (CPI): Local Source Base Year: Education data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.OECD.MEI: Consumer Price Index: COICOP 1999: Non OECD Member: Annual. The CPI is constructed to measure changes over time in the general level of prices of consumer goods and services that households acquire, use, or pay for. The index aims to measure the change in consumer prices over time. Types of prices: Prices used are actual transaction prices, including Value Added Tax. Unconditional discounts are reflected. Money off coupons, loyalty cards, free gifts, trading stamps and free extra product are ignored. Price collection method: For Commodities, taxi fares, rentals and restaurant: Price Collectors visit sampled outlets in order to record prices ('Field-based collection'). Mostly for prices for Services: Staff based at Statistics SA carry out the collection by post, fax, e-mail and telephone survey ('Head office collection'). The index includes a measure of owner-occupied housing: Rental equivalence approach is used. Treatment of missing prices: The missing price of a specific product at a specific respondent is indirectly imputed by ignoring the respondent when calculating the geometric mean of all the respondent price relatives for the specific product. Selection of replacement items: The price collector selects a replacement variety when the current variety is permanently unavailable. Adjustments for quality differences: No quality adjustments are made on prices in the CPI Introducing new products: New products are only included if it substitutes existing products in the market. Completely new products that enter the market are not included in the basket before the next IES, weight update is done. Seasonal items: Prices are collected for specified in season months.; Index series starts in January 2008

ZA: CPI: Local Source Base Year: All Items data was reported at 113.133 Dec2021=100 in Dec 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 111.567 Dec2021=100 for Sep 2023. ZA: CPI: Local Source Base Year: All Items data is updated quarterly, averaging 14.419 Dec2021=100 from Mar 1957 (Median) to Dec 2023, with 268 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 113.133 Dec2021=100 in Dec 2023 and a record low of 0.934 Dec2021=100 in Mar 1957. ZA: CPI: Local Source Base Year: All Items data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.OECD.MEI: Consumer Price Index: COICOP 1999: Non OECD Member: Quarterly. The CPI is constructed to measure changes over time in the general level of prices of consumer goods and services that households acquire, use, or pay for. The index aims to measure the change in consumer prices over time. Types of prices: Prices used are actual transaction prices, including Value Added Tax. Unconditional discounts are reflected. Money off coupons, loyalty cards, free gifts, trading stamps and free extra product are ignored. Price collection method: For Commodities, taxi fares, rentals and restaurant: Price Collectors visit sampled outlets in order to record prices ('Field-based collection'). Mostly for prices for Services: Staff based at Statistics SA carry out the collection by post, fax, e-mail and telephone survey ('Head office collection'). The index includes a measure of owner-occupied housing: Rental equivalence approach is used. Treatment of missing prices: The missing price of a specific product at a specific respondent is indirectly imputed by ignoring the respondent when calculating the geometric mean of all the respondent price relatives for the specific product. Selection of replacement items: The price collector selects a replacement variety when the current variety is permanently unavailable. Adjustments for quality differences: No quality adjustments are made on prices in the CPI Introducing new products: New products are only included if it substitutes existing products in the market. Completely new products that enter the market are not included in the basket before the next IES, weight update is done. Seasonal items: Prices are collected for specified in season months.; Index series starts in January 2008

ZA: CPI: Local Source Base Year: Clothing and Footwear data was reported at 104.300 Dec2021=100 in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 101.517 Dec2021=100 for 2022. ZA: CPI: Local Source Base Year: Clothing and Footwear data is updated yearly, averaging 88.283 Dec2021=100 from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2023, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 104.300 Dec2021=100 in 2023 and a record low of 66.083 Dec2021=100 in 2008. ZA: CPI: Local Source Base Year: Clothing and Footwear data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.OECD.MEI: Consumer Price Index: COICOP 1999: Non OECD Member: Annual. The CPI is constructed to measure changes over time in the general level of prices of consumer goods and services that households acquire, use, or pay for. The index aims to measure the change in consumer prices over time. Types of prices: Prices used are actual transaction prices, including Value Added Tax. Unconditional discounts are reflected. Money off coupons, loyalty cards, free gifts, trading stamps and free extra product are ignored. Price collection method: For Commodities, taxi fares, rentals and restaurant: Price Collectors visit sampled outlets in order to record prices ('Field-based collection'). Mostly for prices for Services: Staff based at Statistics SA carry out the collection by post, fax, e-mail and telephone survey ('Head office collection'). The index includes a measure of owner-occupied housing: Rental equivalence approach is used. Treatment of missing prices: The missing price of a specific product at a specific respondent is indirectly imputed by ignoring the respondent when calculating the geometric mean of all the respondent price relatives for the specific product. Selection of replacement items: The price collector selects a replacement variety when the current variety is permanently unavailable. Adjustments for quality differences: No quality adjustments are made on prices in the CPI Introducing new products: New products are only included if it substitutes existing products in the market. Completely new products that enter the market are not included in the basket before the next IES, weight update is done. Seasonal items: Prices are collected for specified in season months.; Index series starts in January 2008