Inflation rates by country and year

-0.7%4.1%9%13.8%18.7%
-0.7%4.1%9%13.8%18.7%
19601.3%
199213.9%
20253.2%
Source: World Bank

Data: World Bank, annual %. For information only — not financial advice.

Year2025Inflation Rate3.2%

Behind the curve

Turning points in South Africa

  1. 1973↑ Upward pressure

    The first oil shock — Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

    South Africa's reliance on imported oil made it vulnerable to the 1973 shock, which raised costs into the mid-1970s.

    South African Reserve Bank
  2. 1985↑ Upward pressure

    Disinvestment from South Africa — Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

    Financial sanctions and disinvestment, with a falling rand, lifted inflation into the mid-1980s.

    South African Reserve Bank
  3. 2008↑ Upward pressure

    The South African energy crisis — Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

    The 2008 electricity crisis and higher global food and fuel prices pushed South African inflation to a peak.

    South African Reserve Bank
  4. 2022↑ Upward pressure

    The post-pandemic inflation surge — Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

    Higher global food and energy prices lifted South African inflation in 2022.

    South African Reserve Bank

These are selected historical influences, not a complete account of inflation. An upward-pressure event can coincide with a peak when its inflationary effect has already occurred or when other forces begin pushing inflation lower. The markers show the years in which events occurred, although their effects may extend into later years.

What is the inflation in South Africa?

The annual inflation rate in South Africa was 3.2% in 2025, the most recent year in the World Bank dataset. That means prices rose 3.2% on average compared with the year before. Use the chart above to explore South Africa's full inflation history from 1960 to 2025, and to compare it with any other country.

How inflation in South Africa has changed

Inflation in South Africa peaked at 18.7% in 1986 and reached its lowest point at -0.7% in 2004. Averaged across the 66 years of available data (1960–2025), the rate has been 7.6% per year.

Frequently asked questions about inflation in South Africa

What is the current inflation rate in South Africa?

The latest available annual figure is 3.2% in 2025, from the World Bank. Because the figures are reported annually, they may not reflect the most recent monthly reading published by South Africa's statistical office.

What was the highest inflation rate in South Africa?

The highest annual inflation rate on record is 18.7%, reached in 1986.

What was the lowest inflation rate in South Africa?

The lowest annual inflation rate on record is -0.7%, recorded in 2004.

Where does the inflation data for South Africa come from?

All figures come from the World Bank's World Development Indicators (indicator FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG), which report annual consumer price inflation for more than 200 countries and territories from 1960 onward.