Inflation South Africa 1998
Average inflation: 6.9%
Inflation in 1998
Inflation is very high at 6.9%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in November at 9.3%. The lowest inflation was in April at 5.0%.
- Highest month
- November: 9.3%
- Lowest month
- April: 5.0%
- Difference
- 4.3 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Historical Context
Inflation is 1.2 percentage points lower than the 5-year average of 8.1%. This approaches the lowest level since records began (6.9% in 1998).
- 5-year average
- 8.1%
- 10-year average
- 10.8%
- All-time high (1986)
- 18.7%
- All-time low (1998)
- 6.9%
Trend
Over the period 1996-1998, inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 1997, inflation has fallen by 1.7 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- -1.7 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- April: -4.8 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 4.9 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 106.90 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1998
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1997 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5.7% | -3.6 |
| February | 5.3% | -4.6 |
| March | 5.4% | -4.2 |
| April | 5.0% | -4.8 |
| May | 5.1% | -4.4 |
| June | 5.2% | -3.6 |
| July | 6.6% | -2.5 |
| August | 7.6% | -1.1 |
| September | 9.0% | +0.9 |
| October | 9.0% | +1.4 |
| November | 9.3% | +2.4 |
| December | 9.0% | +2.8 |
| Average | 6.9% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 19/12/2025.