Inflation South Africa 1985
Average inflation: 16.3%
Inflation in 1985
Inflation is very high at 16.3%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in December at 18.5%. The lowest inflation was in January at 13.7%.
- Highest month
- December: 18.5%
- Lowest month
- January: 13.7%
- Difference
- 4.8 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Historical Context
Inflation is 2.3 percentage points higher than the 5-year average of 14.0%. This approaches the highest level since records began (16.3% in 1985).
- 5-year average
- 14%
- 10-year average
- 13%
- All-time high (1985)
- 16.3%
- All-time low (1968)
- 2%
Trend
Over the period 1983-1985, inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 1984, inflation has risen by 4.8 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- +4.8 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- February: +6.8 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 14.3 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 116.30 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1985
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1984 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 13.7% | +3.2 |
| February | 16.5% | +6.8 |
| March | 15.1% | +4.8 |
| April | 16.0% | +5.2 |
| May | 15.8% | +4.5 |
| June | 16.9% | +5.0 |
| July | 16.1% | +4.3 |
| August | 15.9% | +4.2 |
| September | 16.9% | +5.3 |
| October | 16.7% | +4.0 |
| November | 17.0% | +4.4 |
| December | 18.5% | +5.3 |
| Average | 16.3% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 19/12/2025.