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.

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 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.

As of June 2020, the projected inflation rate in South Africa for the same year was revised to *** percent, after the fallout of the coronavirus outbreak. The projection was done under the assumption of a worst-case scenario, where the pandemic persists to the end of 2020. Before the occurrence of COVID-19, the inflation rate was expected at *** percent.

On the other hand, the inflation rate for 2021 was reviewed to *** percent, in a worst-case scenario, whereas the previous outlook (before the pandemic) was at five percent.

The average inflation rate in Southern Africa was projected at seven percent in 2022. This represented a decrease in comparison to the previous years. In 2020, the rate reached a peak at 12 percent.

Core consumer prices in South Africa increased 3 percent in May of 2025 over the same month in the previous year. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - South Africa Core Inflation Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Key information about South Africa Core CPI Change

• South Africa Core CPI Change was reported at 3.512 % in Jan 2025.
• This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.520 % for Dec 2024.
• South Africa Core CPI Change data is updated monthly, averaging 4.552 % from Jan 2009 to Jan 2025, with 193 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.

Core Inflation Rate MoM in South Africa decreased to 0 percent in May from 0.10 percent in April of 2025. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Core Inflation Rate MoM.

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.

Consumer Price Index CPI in South Africa increased to 102.10 points in May from 101.90 points in April of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - South Africa Consumer Price Index (CPI) - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food at Home in U.S. City Average (CUSR0000SAF11) from Jan 1952 to May 2025 about urban, food, consumer, CPI, housing, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

United States Core Inflation Nowcast: sa data was reported at 2.961 % in 12 May 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.905 % for 05 May 2025. United States Core Inflation Nowcast: sa data is updated weekly, averaging 3.270 % from Apr 2018 (Median) to 12 May 2025, with 369 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.579 % in 10 Oct 2022 and a record low of 1.200 % in 13 Jul 2020. United States Core Inflation Nowcast: sa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by CEIC Data. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.CEIC.NC: CEIC Nowcast: Inflation: Core.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Commodities Less Food and Energy Commodities in U.S. City Average (CUSR0000SACL1E) from Jan 1957 to May 2025 about core, urban, consumer, CPI, commodities, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

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 2.8 points. This showed a decrease of one point from the previous month. Since January 2020, the CPI headline rate has fluctuated, however, a decreasing trend can be observed from February 2024.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food in U.S. City Average (CPIUFDSL) from Jan 1947 to May 2025 about urban, food, consumer, CPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter in U.S. City Average (CUSR0000SAH1) from Jan 1953 to May 2025 about shelter, urban, consumer, CPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

As of March 2020, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in South Africa, an economic indicator providing information on the change of prices over time, was measured at 123.9 points regarding petrol. This is symbolizing an increase of 6.5 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]

United States Core PCEPI Inflation Nowcast: sa data was reported at 2.721 % in 12 May 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 2.721 % for 05 May 2025. United States Core PCEPI Inflation Nowcast: sa data is updated weekly, averaging 2.799 % from Apr 2019 (Median) to 12 May 2025, with 320 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.534 % in 16 May 2022 and a record low of 0.938 % in 17 Aug 2020. United States Core PCEPI Inflation Nowcast: sa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by CEIC Data. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.CEIC.NC: CEIC Nowcast: Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) Inflation: Core.

As of July 2024, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in South Africa, an economic indicator providing information on the change in prices over time, was measured at 115.7 points regarding alcoholic beverages and tobacco. This is symbolizing an increase of 4.2 points from the same month in the previous year.