In 2024, Zambia had the highest estimated inflation (Consumer Price Index) recorded in Southern Africa, at 15 percent. Lesotho and Zimbabwe followed with 6.4 and six percent, respectively.

Inflation Rate in South Africa increased to 3.60 percent in October from 3.40 percent in September of 2025. This dataset provides - South Africa Inflation Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar 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.

Cost of food in South Africa increased 3.90 percent in October 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.

As of October 2024, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) headline rate in South Africa, an economic indicator providing information on the overall change in the price of goods and services purchased by households over time, was measured at *** points. This showed a decrease of *** point from the previous month. Since ************, the CPI headline rate has fluctuated, however, a decreasing trend can be observed from *************.

Key information about South Africa Core CPI Change

• South Africa Core CPI Change was reported at 3.100 % in Oct 2025.
• This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.206 % for Sep 2025.
• South Africa Core CPI Change data is updated monthly, averaging 4.762 % from Jan 2009 to Oct 2025, with 202 observations.
• The data reached an all-time high of 8.457 % in May 2009 and a record low of 2.497 % in Mar 2021.
• South Africa Core CPI Change data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by CEIC Data.
• The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Global Economic Monitor – Table: Core CPI: Y-o-Y Growth: Monthly.

CEIC calculates Core Consumer Price Index Growth from monthly Core Consumer Price Index. Statistics South Africa provides Core Consumer Price Index Growth with base December 2024=100. Core Consumer Price Index covers Urban areas only as it is the official index used for inflation calculation in South Africa. Core Consumer Price Index excludes Food, Non Alcoholic Beverages, Petrol and Energy.

Key information about South Africa Consumer Price Index CPI growth

• South Africa Consumer Price Index (CPI) growth was measured at 3.6 % YoY in Oct 2025, compared with a rate of 3.4 % in the previous month.
• South Africa Consumer Price Index growth data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1958 to Oct 2025, with an averaged number of 15.4 % 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 2024=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 Expectations in South Africa decreased to 4.20 percent in the third quarter of 2025 from 4.30 percent in the second quarter of 2025. This dataset provides - South Africa Inflation Expectations- 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 124.8 points regarding electricity and other fuels. This is an increase of 16.5 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 111 points regarding medical services. This is an increase of six points from the previous year.

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.