Inflation Rate in South Africa increased to 3.50 percent in July from 3 percent in June 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 5.70 percent in July 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.

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

The Consumer Price Index in South Africa increased 0.90 percent in July of 2025 over the previous month. This dataset provides - South Africa Inflation Rate Mom - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

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]

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

Core Inflation Rate MoM in South Africa increased to 0.30 percent in June from 0 percent in May of 2025. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Core Inflation Rate MoM.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy in U.S. City Average (CPILFESL) from Jan 1957 to Jul 2025 about core, headline figure, all items, urban, consumer, CPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

As of April 2022, the food inflation rate in South Africa stood at *** percent compared to the same month last year. Food prices have been following a fluctuating increasing trend. For instance, food inflation was at *** percent in January 2019, whereas by April 2022 it amounted to *** percent.

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.

South Africa ZA: Real Interest Rate data was reported at 4.584 % pa in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.451 % pa for 2016. South Africa ZA: Real Interest Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 3.728 % pa from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2017, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.012 % pa in 1998 and a record low of -12.315 % pa in 1980. South Africa ZA: Real Interest Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank.WDI: Interest Rates. Real interest rate is the lending interest rate adjusted for inflation as measured by the GDP deflator. The terms and conditions attached to lending rates differ by country, however, limiting their comparability.; ; International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics and data files using World Bank data on the GDP deflator.; ;

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.

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.

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

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

Consumer Price Index CPI in South Africa increased to 102.40 points in June from 102.10 points in May 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: Shelter in U.S. City Average (CUSR0000SAH1) from Jan 1953 to Jul 2025 about shelter, urban, consumer, CPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

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

This line chart displays inflation (annual %) by date using the aggregation median in South Africa. The data is about countries per year.