South Africa Inflation Rate

Last Release

Oct 31, 2025

Actual

3.6

Units In

3.4

Frequency

Monthly

Next Release

Dec 17, 2025

Time to Release

26 Days 6 Hours

Highest	Lowest	Average	Date Range	Source
20.7 Jan 1986	0.2 Jan 2004	8.52 %	1968-2025	Statistics South Africa

In South Africa, the most important categories in the consumer price index are Housing and Utilities (24.5 percent of total weight), Transport (16.4 percent) and Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (15.4 percent). Others include: Miscellaneous Goods and Services such as personal care, Insurance and Finance (14.7 percent); Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (5.4 percent); Household Contents, Equipment and Maintenance (4.8 percent); Recreation and Culture (4.1 percent); Clothing and Footwear (4.1 percent). Restaurants and Hotels, Education, Communication and Health account for the remaining 10 percent. The CPI basket was revised in January of 2013.

Latest Updates

South Africa’s annual inflation rate rose for the second month to 3.6% in October 2025 from 3.4% in September, though below analysts' estimates of 3.7%. It was the highest reading since September 2024, mainly on account of prices of housing & utilities (4.5% vs 4.5% in September), notably electricity (8.2%) and water supply & other services (7%); alcoholic beverages & tobacco (4.5% vs 4.2%) and recreation & culture (3.4% vs 2.9%). Moreover, transportation prices rose 1.5%, marking the first increase in over a year, driven by a sharp rebound in fuels (3.3% vs -2.2%). Meanwhile, some categories recorded smaller price-growth, primarily restaurants & accommodation services (2.1% vs 3%) and food & non-alcoholic beverages (3.9% vs 4.5%). The core inflation rate, which excludes food, non-alcoholic beverages, fuel, and energy, eased to 3.1% in October 2025 from a seven-month high of 3.2% in September. On a monthly basis, the CPI edged up by 0.1%, following a 0.2% increase in the prior month.