The annual inflation rate in Botswana rose 10.7% in May 2026 from 10.3% in the previous month, remaining as the highest reading since December 2022. Costs increased in alcoholic beverages and tobacco (10.5% vs 10.3% in April), clothing and footwear (4.8% vs 4.5%), furnishings and household equipment (5.1% vs 5%), health (4% vs 3.6%), transportation (28.6% vs 28.5%), restaurants and hotels (5.1% vs 4.1%), and miscellaneous goods and services (11.1% vs 10.3%). At the same time, price growth remained steady in recreation and culture (1.6%) and education (2.1%), while deflation slowed in housing and utilities (-0.2% vs -1.7%) and communication (-0.9% vs -1.1%). In contrast, prices moderated slightly in food and non-alcoholic beverages (5.7% vs 5.8%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew by 0.3% in May, easing sharply from a 6.7% jump in the preceding period. source: Central Statistics Office, Botswana

Inflation Rate in Botswana increased to 10.70 percent in May from 10.30 percent in April of 2026. Inflation Rate in Botswana averaged 6.54 percent from 1997 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 15.06 percent in November of 2008 and a record low of 0.90 percent in June of 2020. This page provides the latest reported value for - Botswana Inflation Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Botswana Inflation Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

Inflation Rate in Botswana increased to 10.70 percent in May from 10.30 percent in April of 2026. Inflation Rate in Botswana is expected to be 14.50 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Botswana Inflation Rate is projected to trend around 4.00 percent in 2027 and 3.50 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-14 07:50 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Apr 10.3% 4.2% 4.6%
2026-06-15 10:00 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
May 10.7% 10.3% 13.0%
2026-07-15 09:00 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Jun 10.7% 14.5%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Core Consumer Prices 143.70 143.00 points May 2026
Core Inflation Rate 5.90 5.60 percent May 2026
CPI Housing Utilities 124.30 123.80 points May 2026
CPI Transportation 194.20 193.90 points May 2026
Food Inflation 5.70 5.80 percent May 2026
Inflation Rate YoY 10.70 10.30 percent May 2026
Inflation Rate MoM 0.30 6.70 percent May 2026


Botswana Inflation Rate
In Botswana the most important category in the Consumer Price Index is transport (23 percent of total weight). Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels account for 17 percent; food and non-alcoholic beverages account for 14 percent; and miscellaneous goods and services for 9 percent. Consumer Price Index in Botswana also includes communication (7 percent); clothing and footwear (6 percent) and alcoholic beverages and tobacco (4 percent). Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance; education; restaurants and hotels; recreation and culture and health account for the remaining 19 percent of total weight.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
10.70 10.30 15.06 0.90 1997 - 2026 percent Monthly
2018=100, NSA

News Stream
Botswana Inflation Rises to 10.3% in May
The annual inflation rate in Botswana rose 10.7% in May 2026 from 10.3% in the previous month, remaining as the highest reading since December 2022. Costs increased in alcoholic beverages and tobacco (10.5% vs 10.3% in April), clothing and footwear (4.8% vs 4.5%), furnishings and household equipment (5.1% vs 5%), health (4% vs 3.6%), transportation (28.6% vs 28.5%), restaurants and hotels (5.1% vs 4.1%), and miscellaneous goods and services (11.1% vs 10.3%). At the same time, price growth remained steady in recreation and culture (1.6%) and education (2.1%), while deflation slowed in housing and utilities (-0.2% vs -1.7%) and communication (-0.9% vs -1.1%). In contrast, prices moderated slightly in food and non-alcoholic beverages (5.7% vs 5.8%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew by 0.3% in May, easing sharply from a 6.7% jump in the preceding period.
2026-06-15
Botswana Inflation Highest Since 2022
The annual inflation rate in Botswana surged to 10.3% in April 2026 from 4.2% in the previous month. This marked the highest reading since December 2022, largely driven by a sharp rise in transport costs, which climbed 28.5% (6.4% in March), following significant increases in retail fuel prices and public transport fares. Inflation also accelerated for alcoholic beverages and tobacco (10.3% vs 9.9%) and miscellaneous goods and services (10.3% vs 9.4%). On the other hand, prices declined for housing and utilities (-1.7% vs -2.4%) and communication (-1.1% vs -1.2%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up by 6.7% in April, the sharpest rise on record and up from a 0.4% gain in the preceding period.
2026-05-14
Botswana Inflation Rate Rises to Near 3-Year High
The annual inflation rate in Botswana rose to 4.2% in March 2026 from 4% in February, marking the highest reading since June 2023. The main positive contributors were transportation (6.4% vs 6.3% in February); food & non-alcoholic beverages (5.8% vs 5.4%); miscellaneous goods & services (9.4% vs 9.2%) and alcoholic beverages & tobacco (9.9% vs 9.4%). In late March, the Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) announced a significant increase in the retail pump prices of petrol, diesel, and illuminating paraffin. On a monthly basis, the CPI rose by 0.4% in March, after a 0.2% increase in the previous month.
2026-04-15