The annual inflation rate inched up to 4.4% in August 2026 from 4.3% in July, but undershooting the expected 4.5%. Still, inflation remains well above the SARB's goal of 3%. Transportation remained the main source of upward pressure, with prices rising 8.8% year-on-year, after an 8.9% advance in July. Petrol prices fell 2.0% between July and August, while diesel prices rose 3.1%. Housing and utilities inflation remained elevated at 5.2%, unchanged from July, with electricity, gas and other fuels inflation accelerating to 8.3% from 7.4%. Food inflation also picked up, rising to 1.1% from 0.9%, marking its first increase since November 2025. Meanwhile, core inflation, which excludes prices of food, non-alcoholic beverages, fuel, and energy, eased to 4.1% from a two-year high of 4.2% in July and slightly below the expected 4.2%. On a monthly basis, the CPI was flat in August, after increasing by 0.2% in the month before. source: Statistics South Africa

Inflation Rate in South Africa increased to 4.40 percent in August from 4.30 percent in July of 2026. Inflation Rate in South Africa averaged 8.45 percent from 1968 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 20.70 percent in January of 1986 and a record low of 0.20 percent in January of 2004. This page provides - South Africa Inflation Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. South Africa Inflation Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on October of 2026.

Inflation Rate in South Africa increased to 4.40 percent in August from 4.30 percent in July of 2026. Inflation Rate in South Africa is expected to be 4.60 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Africa Inflation Rate is projected to trend around 4.00 percent in 2027 and 3.20 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-08-19 08:00 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Jul 4.3% 5% 4.5% 4.4%
2026-09-23 08:00 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Aug 4.4% 4.3% 4.5% 4.6%
2026-10-21 08:00 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Sep 4.4% 4.6%



Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Core Consumer Prices 106.90 106.90 points Aug 2026
Core Inflation Rate YoY 4.10 4.20 percent Aug 2026
Core Inflation Rate MoM 0.00 0.50 percent Aug 2026
CPI Clothing and Footwear 102.00 102.00 points Aug 2026
CPI Education Services 110.10 110.10 points Aug 2026
CPI Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages 105.60 105.50 points Aug 2026
CPI Housing Utilities 109.10 109.10 points Aug 2026
CPI Recreation, Sport and Culture 105.60 105.40 points Aug 2026
CPI Restaurants and Hotels 106.90 106.30 points Aug 2026
CPI Transportation 109.30 109.70 points Aug 2026
Food Inflation 1.10 0.90 percent Aug 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Price Index CPI 107.70 107.70 points Aug 2026
Inflation Rate YoY 4.40 4.30 percent Aug 2026
Inflation Rate MoM 0.00 0.20 percent Aug 2026
PPI MoM -0.40 -1.00 percent Aug 2026
Producer Prices 108.80 109.20 points Aug 2026
PPI YoY 5.00 5.70 percent Aug 2026


South Africa Inflation Rate
In South Africa, the most important categories in the Consumer Price Index are: Housing & Utilities (23% of the total weight), Food & Non-alcoholic Beverages (19%), and Transport (15%). Others include: Miscellaneous Goods & Services (15%), Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (6%), Recreation & Entertainment (5%), Household Contents, Equipment & Maintenance (4%), Clothing & Footwear (4%), Restaurants & Hotels (3%), Education (2%), and Communications (2%).
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
4.40 4.30 20.70 0.20 1968 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
South Africa Inflation Rate Below Forecasts at 4.4%
The annual inflation rate inched up to 4.4% in August 2026 from 4.3% in July, but undershooting the expected 4.5%. Still, inflation remains well above the SARB's goal of 3%. Transportation remained the main source of upward pressure, with prices rising 8.8% year-on-year, after an 8.9% advance in July. Petrol prices fell 2.0% between July and August, while diesel prices rose 3.1%. Housing and utilities inflation remained elevated at 5.2%, unchanged from July, with electricity, gas and other fuels inflation accelerating to 8.3% from 7.4%. Food inflation also picked up, rising to 1.1% from 0.9%, marking its first increase since November 2025. Meanwhile, core inflation, which excludes prices of food, non-alcoholic beverages, fuel, and energy, eased to 4.1% from a two-year high of 4.2% in July and slightly below the expected 4.2%. On a monthly basis, the CPI was flat in August, after increasing by 0.2% in the month before.
2026-09-23
South Africa Inflation Rate Cools More than Anticipated
South Africa's annual inflation rate eased to 4.3% in July 2026 from a two-year high of 5% in the prior month and below analysts' estimates of 4.5%. This marked the first slowdown in five months, helped by softer transportation costs (8.9% vs 12.7% in June). Fuel prices slowed to 20.6% from 34.3%, reflecting lower South African petrol prices as crude oil prices pulled back from their early-Middle East-conflict highs. The easing was further supported by food and non-alcoholic beverages (0.9% vs 1.6%), driven by lower cereal prices (-2% vs -1.5%) and slower meat inflation (1.5% vs 5.1%). Price growth also moderated for housing and utilities (5.2% vs 5.5%), on smaller municipal tariff increases. Meanwhile, core inflation, which excludes prices of food, non-alcoholic beverages, fuel, and energy, inched up to 4.2% from 4.1% in June, reaching the highest since July 2024. On a monthly basis, the CPI rose by 0.2% in July, down from a 0.7% increase in the month before.
2026-08-19
South Africa Inflation Rate at 2-Year High
South Africa's annual inflation rate accelerated for a fourth consecutive month to 5% in June 2026 from 4.5% in May and above expectations of 4.7%. This marked the highest inflation rate since June 2024, driven primarily by a sharp increase in transportation costs (12.7%), largely reflecting a 34.3% surge in fuel prices amid elevated global energy prices linked to the conflict with Iran. Additional upward pressure came from housing and utilities (5.5%), led by higher prices for electricity, gas and other fuels (3.9%) and water supply (6.9%). Inflation also remained elevated for insurance and financial services (5.9%), restaurants and accommodation services (5.1%), and alcoholic beverages and tobacco (3.6%), while food inflation edged up to 1.6%. Meanwhile, core inflation rose to 4.1%, its highest level since September 2024, pointing to broader underlying price pressures. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased 0.7% in June.
2026-07-22