Inflation South Africa 2004

Average inflation: -0.7%

Current Inflation

There is deflation with consumer prices declining by 0.7%.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in November at 2.3%. The lowest inflation was in January at -2.0%.

Highest month
November: 2.3%
Lowest month
January: -2.0%
Difference
4.3 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 1.4%. The lowest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 1.4%.

Highest increase
Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 1.4%
Lowest increase
Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 1.4%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 5.8% lower than the 5-year average of 5.1%.

5-year average
5.1%
10-year average
6.3%
All-time high (1986)
18.7%
All-time low (2004)
-0.7%

Trend

Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2003, inflation has fallen by +6.6 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
-6.6 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
January: -14.5 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 2.7% below the ECB target of 2.0%. Too low inflation may indicate economic weakness.

Purchasing Power

Due to deflation, purchasing power increases. Money becomes more valuable instead of less.

What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €99.30 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2004

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
1.4%
+2.1vs avg.
More details →

Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2003
January -2.0% -14.5
February -1.6% -12.7
March -1.7% -12.3
April -1.8% -10.8
May -1.8% -10.3
June -1.5% -8.9
July -0.8% -6.0
August -1.3% -6.1
September -0.6% -3.8
October 0.5% -0.4
November 2.3% +3.7
December 2.2% +3.8
Average -0.7%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 19/12/2025.

See also