Botswana Inflation Rate Hits 5-Month Low

Botswana’s annual inflation rate eased to 1.9% in May 2025, the lowest since December of 2024, from 2.3% in the previous month.

The slowdown was driven by the decline in prices such as transport (-2.2% vs -1.6% in April) and housing and utilities (-0.3% vs 0.9%).

Price growth also slowed for alcoholic beverages and tobacco (6.4% vs 7.4%), food and non-alcoholic beverages (5.8% vs 5.9%), clothing and footwear (3.7% vs 4.1%), health (2.2% vs 2.3%).

In contrast, inflation edged up for furnishing, household equipment, and maintenance (2.7% vs 2.6%), recreation and culture (2.6% vs 2.5%), and communication (0.2% vs 0.1%), while it remained unchanged for education (2.6%).

On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell by 0.1% in May, the first decrease in 8 months, following a 0.8% gain in the previous period.