The annual inflation rate in Botswana cooled down for the third month to 7.8% in September 2026, marking its lowest level since March. The moderation largely reflected slower price growth in transportation (15% vs 19.7% in August), particularly personal vehicle operating costs (17.4% vs 26.5%). Inflation also eased for food and non-alcoholic beverages (4.5% vs 5.9%); alcoholic beverages and tobacco (8.5% vs 10%); miscellaneous goods & services (11% vs 11.6%); clothing & footwear (4.4% vs 5%) and furnishings & household equipment (4.2% vs 5.1%). On the other hand, price growth remained elevated for housing & utilities (at 4.8%), while accelerating for recreation & culture (3.6% vs 3.1%). On a monthly basis, the CPI rose by 0.1%, after increasing by 0.4% in the month before. source: Central Statistics Office, Botswana

Inflation Rate in Botswana decreased to 7.80 percent in September from 9.30 percent in August of 2026. Inflation Rate in Botswana averaged 6.57 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 October of 2026.

Inflation Rate in Botswana decreased to 7.80 percent in September from 9.30 percent in August of 2026. Inflation Rate in Botswana is expected to be 8.40 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 5.30 percent in 2027 and 4.00 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-09-15 06:00 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Aug 9.3% 9.4% 9.8%
2026-10-15 06:00 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Sep 7.8% 9.3% 9.0%
2026-11-13 09:00 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Oct 7.8%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Core Consumer Prices 145.30 145.00 points Sep 2026
Core Inflation Rate 5.30 5.90 percent Sep 2026
CPI Housing Utilities 127.10 126.30 points Sep 2026
CPI Transportation 182.40 182.00 points Sep 2026
Food Inflation 4.50 5.90 percent Sep 2026
Inflation Rate YoY 7.80 9.30 percent Sep 2026
Inflation Rate MoM 0.10 0.40 percent Sep 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
7.80 9.30 15.06 0.90 1997 - 2026 percent Monthly
2018=100, NSA

News Stream
Botswana Inflation Rate Slows to 6-Month Low
The annual inflation rate in Botswana cooled down for the third month to 7.8% in September 2026, marking its lowest level since March. The moderation largely reflected slower price growth in transportation (15% vs 19.7% in August), particularly personal vehicle operating costs (17.4% vs 26.5%). Inflation also eased for food and non-alcoholic beverages (4.5% vs 5.9%); alcoholic beverages and tobacco (8.5% vs 10%); miscellaneous goods & services (11% vs 11.6%); clothing & footwear (4.4% vs 5%) and furnishings & household equipment (4.2% vs 5.1%). On the other hand, price growth remained elevated for housing & utilities (at 4.8%), while accelerating for recreation & culture (3.6% vs 3.1%). On a monthly basis, the CPI rose by 0.1%, after increasing by 0.4% in the month before.
2026-10-15
Botswana Inflation Rate Edges Down to 9.3%
Botswana's annual inflation rate ticked down to 9.3% in August 2026 from 9.4% in the prior month and decelerating further from a recent peak of 10.7%. Price growth moderated a bit for transportation (19.7% vs 19.9%); food & non-alcoholic beverages (5.9% vs 6.6%); alcoholic beverages & tobacco (10% vs 10.7%) and miscellaneous goods & services (11.6% vs 11.7%). On the other hand, inflation remained steady for restaurants & hotels (at 5.3%), but accelerated for housing & utilities (4.8% vs 3.9%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up by 0.4%, after decreasing by 1.8% in the month before.
2026-09-15
Botswana Inflation Rate Slows to 9.4% in July
Botswana's annual inflation rate fell to 9.4% in July 2026 from 10.7% previously, which was the highest reading since December 2022. Price growth moderated slightly for transportation (19.9% vs 28.4% in June) and clothing & footwear (5.1% vs 5.3%). Conversely, prices continued to accelerate for other CPI items, including miscellaneous goods & services (11.7% vs 11.5%); alcoholic beverages & tobacco (10.7% vs 10.6%); food & non-alcoholic beverages (6.6% vs 5.7%) and restaurants & hotels (5.3% vs 5.2%). Also, costs rebounded for housing & utilities (3.9% vs -0.4%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices decreased by 1.8%, after a 0.2% rise in the prior month.
2026-08-14