South Africa Inflation Calculator
This calculator estimates the change in purchasing power of the South African rand between any two years from 1960 to 2025. Calculations apply the Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) Consumer Price Index .
Enter an Amount
Input the historical ZAR value to convert using the amount field or slider.
Select Years
Choose the From and To years to compare, or use a Quick Preset.
View Breakdown
Results update automatically. The hero card and charts show inflation across the selected period.
South Africa Inflation Calculator
Adjust the amount and years — results update instantly
What this means
Over 25 years, prices in South Africa rose 271.4%. That's the difference between what your money could buy then — and what it buys now.
Inflation across this period averaged 5.39%/year — above the SARB's new 3% point target (adopted November 2025) but below South Africa's long-term average of 7.73%, which is heavily influenced by the high-inflation 1980s when CPI averaged near 15%.
Annual Inflation Rate · 2000–2025
Year-over-year change in the Consumer Price Index for each year in your selected range.
Cumulative Inflation Since 2000
How prices have compounded year-on-year. The shaded area shows the total decline in purchasing power.
Recent Inflation Trends
Annual inflation rates for the last decade — including the 2022–23 cost-of-living surge driven by global energy and food shocks, the moderation toward South Africa's new 3% target, and the recent uptick from the Middle East conflict.
Average Inflation by Decade
Decade-by-decade average annual inflation rate. The 1980s remain South Africa's highest-inflation decade in modern history, averaging nearly 15% during a period of economic sanctions and political transition.
South Africa Inflation Snapshot
Visual breakdown by category, by measure, and over time
Stats SA CPI March 2026 · Released 22 April 2026Inflation Analysis
By COICOP category, by measure (Headline/Core/Goods/Services), and 11-year history
Headline vs Core CPI
Monthly Headline vs Core CPI (ex-food, fuel, energy) — last 8 months
CPI Basket Weights
Share of South African household spending (Stats SA 2025 weights, 13 COICOP divisions)
Category Contributions
Percentage points each category adds to headline 3.1%
| Category | Weight | Annual Change | Contribution (pp) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing & Utilities | 24.10% | +5.1% | +1.20 |
| Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages | 18.23% | +3.6% | +0.60 |
| Insurance & Financial Services | 10.41% | +4.6% | +0.50 |
| Restaurants & Accommodation | 6.12% | +3.8% | +0.23 |
| Education | 2.41% | +5.4% | +0.13 |
| Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco | 4.64% | +5.0% | +0.23 |
| Health | 1.78% | +4.4% | +0.08 |
| Recreation, Sport & Culture | 2.94% | +3.0% | +0.09 |
| Personal Care & Miscellaneous | 2.78% | +2.8% | +0.08 |
| Clothing & Footwear | 3.90% | +2.7% | +0.10 |
| Information & Communication | 5.47% | +1.5% | +0.08 |
| Furnishings & Household | 3.33% | −0.4% | −0.01 |
| Transport | 13.89% | −1.6% | −0.22 |
Important Disclaimer
For educational purposes only. This calculator is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute financial, investment, or tax advice. Results are illustrative estimates based on the inputs provided.
Inflation calculations use the Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) Consumer Price Index annual averages from 1960 to 2025 (base December 2024 = 100). The 2025 value is the full 12-month average — Stats SA confirmed annual average inflation 2025 at 3.2%, the lowest in 21 years (released 21 January 2026). The 1960–1979 series is back-calculated from official Stats SA inflation rates. The latest CPI release covers March 2026 (released by Stats SA on 22 April 2026): headline CPI was 3.1% (up from 3.0% in February), Core CPI 3.2%, Goods 1.8%, and Services 4.2%.
The South African Reserve Bank targets annual headline CPI inflation at 3% with a ±1 percentage point tolerance band — a new framework adopted on 12 November 2025 by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, replacing the previous 3–6% target range that had been in place since February 2000. The SARB Policy Rate (SPR, formerly the repo rate) was held at 6.75% on 26 March 2026 (unanimous, second consecutive hold). The corresponding prime lending rate is 10.25%. Past inflation rates are not a guide to future inflation. Rates and figures are subject to change. Refer to the official sources below and seek independent professional advice before making financial decisions.
Important Disclaimer
For educational purposes only. This calculator is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute financial, investment, or tax advice. Results are illustrative estimates based on the inputs provided.
Inflation calculations use the Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) Consumer Price Index annual averages from 1960 to 2025 (base December 2024 = 100). The 2025 value is the full 12-month average — Stats SA confirmed annual average inflation 2025 at 3.2%, the lowest in 21 years (released 21 January 2026). The 1960–1979 series is back-calculated from official Stats SA inflation rates. The latest CPI release covers March 2026 (released by Stats SA on 22 April 2026): headline CPI was 3.1% (up from 3.0% in February), Core CPI 3.2%, Goods 1.8%, and Services 4.2%.
The South African Reserve Bank targets annual headline CPI inflation at 3% with a ±1 percentage point tolerance band — a new framework adopted on 12 November 2025 by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, replacing the previous 3–6% target range that had been in place since February 2000. The SARB Policy Rate (SPR, formerly the repo rate) was held at 6.75% on 26 March 2026 (unanimous, second consecutive hold). The corresponding prime lending rate is 10.25%. Past inflation rates are not a guide to future inflation. Rates and figures are subject to change. Refer to the official sources below and seek independent professional advice before making financial decisions.
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