Inflation South Africa 2009
Average inflation: 7.3%
Inflation in 2009
Inflation is very high at 7.3%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in March at 9.2%. The lowest inflation was in October at 5.5%.
- Highest month
- March: 9.2%
- Lowest month
- October: 5.5%
- Difference
- 3.7 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Miscellaneous goods and services with an average of 11.7%. The lowest price increase was in Transport with an average of -0.4%.
- Highest increase
- Miscellaneous goods and services: 11.7%
- Lowest increase
- Transport: -0.4%
Historical Context
Inflation is 1.6 percentage points higher than the 5-year average of 5.7%.
- 5-year average
- 5.7%
- 10-year average
- 5.4%
- All-time high (1991)
- 15.3%
- All-time low (2004)
- -0.7%
Trend
Over the period 2007-2009, inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2008, inflation has fallen by 2.6 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- -2.6 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- September: -5.0 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 5.3 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 107.30 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2009
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2008 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 8.4% | +0.1 |
| February | 9.1% | +0.4 |
| March | 9.2% | -0.3 |
| April | 8.9% | -0.4 |
| May | 8.4% | -1.2 |
| June | 7.3% | -3.0 |
| July | 6.5% | -4.6 |
| August | 6.3% | -4.9 |
| September | 6.0% | -5.0 |
| October | 5.5% | -5.0 |
| November | 5.5% | -4.7 |
| December | 6.2% | -3.0 |
| Average | 7.3% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.