Inflation South Africa 1981
Average inflation: 15.3%
Inflation in 1981
Inflation is very high at 15.3%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in February at 16.7%. The lowest inflation was in December at 13.7%.
- Highest month
- February: 16.7%
- Lowest month
- December: 13.7%
- Difference
- 3.0 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Historical Context
Inflation is 2.4 percentage points higher than the 5-year average of 12.9%. This approaches the highest level since records began (15.3% in 1981).
- 5-year average
- 12.9%
- 10-year average
- 11.7%
- All-time high (1981)
- 15.3%
- All-time low (1962)
- 1.2%
Trend
Over the period 1979-1981, inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 1980, inflation has risen by 1.7 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- +1.7 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- August: +5.3 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 13.3 percentage points 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 ZAR 100 this year will cost approximately ZAR 115.30 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1981
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1980 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 15.8% | +2.3 |
| February | 16.7% | +3.4 |
| March | 15.5% | +2.3 |
| April | 15.4% | +2.4 |
| May | 15.2% | +1.1 |
| June | 14.0% | -1.1 |
| July | 14.7% | +2.3 |
| August | 16.5% | +5.3 |
| September | 16.1% | +3.0 |
| October | 14.9% | +0.9 |
| November | 14.8% | -0.2 |
| December | 13.7% | -2.1 |
| Average | 15.3% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 19/12/2025.