Inflation (CPI)

South African inflation.

The consumer price index (CPI) from Statistics South Africa: how much the prices of a typical household basket rose over the past year. Core inflation leaves out food and fuel.

Latest reading
4.4%
Aug, released 23 Sept 2026
Before that
4.3%
Jul
Core inflation (Aug)
4.1%
Next release
21 Oct 2026
for Sep

Consumer inflation was 4.4% in August, up from 4.3%.

Inflation (CPI)The last 15 months

  1. 3.0%Jun
  2. 3.5%Jul
  3. 3.3%Aug
  4. 3.4%Sep
  5. 3.6%Oct
  6. 3.5%Nov
  7. 3.6%Dec
  8. 3.5%Jan
  9. 3.0%Feb
  10. 3.1%Mar
  11. 4.0%Apr
  12. 4.5%May
  13. 5.0%Jun
  14. 4.3%Jul
  15. 4.4%Aug
PeriodReleasedReading
Aug23 Sept 20264.4%
Jul19 Aug 20264.3%
Jun22 Jul 20265.0%
May17 Jun 20264.5%
Apr20 May 20264.0%
Mar22 Apr 20263.1%
Feb18 Mar 20263.0%
Jan18 Feb 20263.5%
Dec21 Jan 20263.6%
Nov17 Dec 20253.5%
Oct19 Nov 20253.6%
Sep22 Oct 20253.4%
Aug17 Sept 20253.3%
Jul20 Aug 20253.5%
Jun23 Jul 20253.0%

What it is

The consumer price index (CPI) from Statistics South Africa: how much the prices of a typical household basket rose over the past year. Core inflation leaves out food and fuel.

Published by
Statistics South Africa
How often
Monthly

Why it matters for commerce

Higher inflation squeezes what households have left after essentials, pushes shoppers to cheaper brands and stores, and is the main input into the Reserve Bank’s rate decisions.

Shares it moves most

QuestionsGood to know.

  • Headline CPI covers the whole household basket. Core inflation leaves out the most volatile items, food and fuel, to show the underlying trend the Reserve Bank watches.

  • Some inflation lifts sales in rand terms, but when prices rise faster than incomes shoppers buy less, trade down to cheaper products and put off big purchases.

More of the shopper’s economy

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