Inflation Botswana 2021
Average inflation: 7.2%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 7.2%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in July at 8.9%. The lowest inflation was in January at 2.2%.
- Highest month
- July: 8.9%
- Lowest month
- January: 2.2%
- Difference
- 6.7 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Energy with an average of 11.2%. The lowest price increase was in Food with an average of 7.1%.
- Highest increase
- Energy: 11.2%
- Lowest increase
- Food: 7.1%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 3.5% higher than the 5-year average of 3.7%. This approaches the highest level since records began (7.2% in 2021).
- 5-year average
- 3.7%
- 10-year average
- 3.6%
- All-time high (2021)
- 7.2%
- All-time low (2020)
- 1.9%
Trend
Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2020, inflation has risen by +5.3 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- +5.3 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- July: +8.0 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 5.2% above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.
Purchasing Power
At this high inflation rate, purchasing power rapidly decreases. This has a major impact on households, especially without adequate salary increases.
What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €107.20 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2021
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2.2% | -0.1 |
| February | 2.4% | +0.2 |
| March | 5.6% | +3.4 |
| April | 7.8% | +5.3 |
| May | 8.3% | +5.9 |
| June | 8.2% | +7.3 |
| July | 8.9% | +8.0 |
| August | 8.8% | +7.7 |
| September | 8.4% | +6.6 |
| October | 8.9% | +6.7 |
| November | 8.6% | +6.3 |
| December | 8.7% | +6.5 |
| Average | 7.2% |
Data source
Data from WorldBank. Last updated: 06/01/2026.