Inflation South Africa 2010

Average inflation: 4.1%

Inflation in 2010

Inflation is high at 4.1%, well above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in January at 5.7%. The lowest inflation was in September at 3.2%.

Highest month
January: 5.7%
Lowest month
September: 3.2%
Difference
2.5 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Education with an average of 9.6%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -2.0%.

Highest increase
Education: 9.6%
Lowest increase
Communication: -2.0%

Historical Context

Inflation is 2.0 percentage points lower than the 5-year average of 6.1%.

5-year average
6.1%
10-year average
5.3%
All-time high (1991)
15.3%
All-time low (2004)
-0.7%

Trend

Over the period 2008-2010, inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2009, inflation has fallen by 3.2 percentage points.

Change vs. previous year
-3.2 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
April: -4.6 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 2.1 percentage points above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.

Purchasing Power

At this inflation rate, purchasing power noticeably decreases. Without a salary increase, you can buy less with the same money.

What you could buy for ZAR 100 this year will cost approximately ZAR 104.10 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2010

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
1.2%
-2.9 vs avg.
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
9.1%
+5.0 vs avg.
Clothing and footwear
2.0%
-2.1 vs avg.
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
6.7%
+2.6 vs avg.
Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
0.1%
-4.0 vs avg.
Health
7.7%
+3.6 vs avg.
Transport
2.6%
-1.5 vs avg.
Communication
-2.0%
-6.1 vs avg.
Recreation and culture
0.2%
-3.9 vs avg.
Education
9.6%
+5.5 vs avg.
Restaurants and hotels
7.1%
+3.0 vs avg.
Miscellaneous goods and services
6.5%
+2.4 vs avg.

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2009
January 5.7% -2.7
February 5.5% -3.6
March 4.7% -4.5
April 4.3% -4.6
May 4.3% -4.1
June 3.8% -3.5
July 3.8% -2.7
August 3.4% -2.9
September 3.2% -2.8
October 3.4% -2.1
November 3.6% -1.9
December 3.3% -2.9
Average 4.1%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.

See also