Inflation rates in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ranged from 31 percent inflation in Laos to 0.37 percent inflation in Brunei Darussalam. While countries like Vietnam are likely benefitting from more stable inflation than earlier seen, only a few countries are in the 2 to 6 percent range that many economists view as optimal for emerging economies. Effects of high inflation High inflation is generally detrimental to the economy. Prices tend to rise faster than wages, meaning that people and firms have less purchasing power. This in turn leads to slower growth in the gross domestic product (GDP). It also leads to a weaker currency. For countries with a positive trade balance this can be beneficial, because exports are relatively cheaper to foreign buyers. Through the same mechanism, net importers suffer from a weaker currency. Additionally, inflation makes a country’s national debt less expensive if the debt is denominated in the local currency. However, most of this debt is in U.S. dollars, so inflation makes the debt more difficult to service and repay. Risks of deflation With deflation, consumers and firms delay investments because they expect prices to be lower in the future. This slows consumption and investment, two major components of GDP growth. The most common example of this is Japan, where the GDP growth rate has been low for a long time due, in large part, to deflation. For this reason, countries like Brunei would rather see low and stable inflation than slight deflation.

The statistic shows the inflation rate in Saudi Arabia from 1987 to 2022, with projections up until 2030. In 2023, the average inflation rate amounted to 2.33 percent compared to the previous year. Oil production in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia’s economy relies heavily on production and export of oil and petroleum. A look at the distribution of global oil reserves by country shows that only Venezuela possesses a higher share in global oil reserves than the Arab state. All in all, Saudi Arabia’s economy is doing quite well. The oil reserves in Saudi Arabia have increased over the last two decades, and the same can be said for the country’s gross domestic product. The unemployment rate has been stable, while the trade balance has shown a steady upwards trend with a significant jump in 2011. Accordingly, Saudi Arabia’s national debt in relation to gross domestic product has been decreasing dramatically over the last ten years. Saudi Arabia is also among the countries with the highest oil consumption worldwide; a ranking of the share of the major consuming countries in global oil consumption, which is led by the United States (which consume almost one fifth of global oil), places Saudi Arabia sixth, behind the US, Russia, and China. Being one of the leading oil producing countries, Saudi Arabia is also a member of OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries), an association whose primary goal is regulating crude oil prices worldwide and coordinating the oil production and trade of the member countries. According to OPEC, the average price for crude oil has been rising since the 1960s.

South Africa Used Car Market size was valued at USD 21.68 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 45.63 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 9.75% from 2026 to 2032.

Key Market Drivers

Rising Cost of New Vehicles: The rising prices of new vehicles in South Africa are driving consumers toward the used car market as a more cost-effective alternative. According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), new vehicle prices increased by 6.1% year on year in 2023, greatly surpassing the overall inflation rate. According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA), the average new car price in South Africa exceeded R450,000 by 2023, making used cars an increasingly attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.

Growth of Online Marketplaces: The proliferation of digital platforms dedicated to used car sales has transformed the market by increasing transparency and convenience for buyers. According to data from the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC), online used car transactions climbed by 37% from 2021 to 2023. According to the South African Digital Economy Assessment, roughly 65% of used car transactions now involve some type of online research or transaction, with specific automotive platforms witnessing annual user growth of more than 40%.