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.

Inflation Rate in South Africa increased to 2.80 percent in April from 2.70 percent in March of 2025. This dataset provides - South Africa Inflation Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

South Africa inflation rate for 2023 was 6.07%, a 0.97% decline from 2022.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>South Africa inflation rate for 2022 was <strong>7.04%</strong>, a <strong>2.43% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>South Africa inflation rate for 2021 was <strong>4.61%</strong>, a <strong>1.4% increase</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>South Africa inflation rate for 2020 was <strong>3.21%</strong>, a <strong>0.91% decline</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Inflation as measured by the consumer price index reflects the annual percentage change in the cost to the average consumer of acquiring a basket of goods and services that may be fixed or changed at specified intervals, such as yearly. The Laspeyres formula is generally used.

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.

Cost of food in South Africa increased 4 percent in April 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.

The latest inflation rate, i.e. the percent change in the CPI from a year ago to now, in South Africa was 2.14 percent. That number was released in . It shows an increase from the inflation rate in the previous month when it stood at 2.11 percent. Compared to a year ago, we see a decrease from...

This dataset provides values for INFLATION RATE reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

Inflation across Sub-Saharan Africa has regularly fluctuated since the year 2000. In 2030, it is estimated that inflation had reached 18.33 percent, marking the largest annual change since the 2008 recession; however it is estimated that inflation will fall steadily in the coming years.

Core consumer prices in South Africa increased 3 percent in April 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.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index: OECD Groups: All Items Non-Food Non-Energy: Total for South Africa (CPGRLE01ZAQ657N) from Q2 2002 to Q3 2023 about South Africa, core, all items, CPI, inflation, price index, indexes, and price.

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]

Zimbabwe had the highest inflation in Africa as of 2023. The rate reached roughly 172 percent when compared to the previous year, according to the source's estimates. This was followed by Sudan, with a rate increase of over 71 percent. Inflationary pressures in the country have been driven by a long-running economic crisis and political instability. By the end of 2021, the already fragile Sudanese economy suffered again when military forces took control of the government. With a

Inflation Expectations in South Africa decreased to 4.30 percent in the first quarter of 2025 from 4.50 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - South Africa Inflation Expectations- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Inflation, GDP deflator (annual %) in South Africa was reported at 4.8043 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Inflation, GDP deflator (annual %) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on May of 2025.

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 111.2 points regarding supplies and services. This is an increase of 5.2 points from the previous year.

Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) in South Africa was reported at 4.3612 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on May of 2025.

The WC food CPI decreased to 9,5% in July, 0,6 percentage points lower than South Africa’s 10,1%. Load shedding and the weakening exchange rate remains key drivers to upward pressure. The continuous hikes in the repo rate have assisted in the headline CPI decreasing to below 6%, falling within the target range.

Key information about South Africa Producer Price Index Growth

• South Africa Producer Price Index (PPI) grew 1.1 % YoY in Jan 2025, compared with a growth of 0.7 % YoY in the previous month.
• South Africa Producer Price Index data is updated monthly, available from Jan 2013 to Jan 2025, with an average change of 5.5 % YoY.
• The data reached an all-time high of 18.0 % YoY in Jul 2022 and a record low of -0.7 % YoY in Oct 2024.

CEIC calculates Producer Price Index Growth from monthly Producer Price Index. Statistics South Africa provides Producer Price Index with base December 2023=100. Producer Price Index Growth covers Final Manufactured Goods only.

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.

South Africa Consumer Price Index (CPI): Weights: Urban: Health: Medical Services data was reported at 0.870 Per 100 in 2024. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.870 Per 100 for 2023. South Africa Consumer Price Index (CPI): Weights: Urban: Health: Medical Services data is updated yearly, averaging 0.870 Per 100 from Jan 2009 (Median) to 2024, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.900 Per 100 in 2012 and a record low of 0.720 Per 100 in 2016. South Africa Consumer Price Index (CPI): Weights: Urban: Health: Medical Services 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.I037: Consumer Price Index: Weights: Urban (Old Classification).