Inflation South Africa 2015

Average inflation: 4.5%

Inflation in 2015

Inflation is high at 4.5%, well above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in December at 5.2%. The lowest inflation was in February at 4.0%.

Highest month
December: 5.2%
Lowest month
February: 4.0%
Difference
1.2 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Education with an average of 9.3%. The lowest price increase was in Transport with an average of -1.0%.

Highest increase
Education: 9.3%
Lowest increase
Transport: -1.0%

Historical Context

Inflation is 0.9 percentage points lower than the 5-year average of 5.4%.

5-year average
5.4%
10-year average
5.8%
All-time high (2008)
9.9%
All-time low (2004)
-0.7%

Trend

Over the period 2013-2015, inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2014, inflation has fallen by 1.6 percentage points.

Change vs. previous year
-1.6 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
May: -2.3 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 2.5 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 104.50 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2015

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
5.0%
+0.5 vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
8.3%
+3.8 vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
5.5%
+1.0 vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
5.9%
+1.4 vs avg.
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Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
2.3%
-2.2 vs avg.
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Health
6.1%
+1.6 vs avg.
More details →
Transport
-1.0%
-5.5 vs avg.
More details →
Communication
-0.9%
-5.4 vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
2.2%
-2.3 vs avg.
More details →
Education
9.3%
+4.8 vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
5.9%
+1.4 vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
7.0%
+2.5 vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2014
January 4.6% -1.0
February 4.0% -1.9
March 4.2% -1.6
April 4.5% -1.8
May 4.4% -2.3
June 4.6% -2.2
July 4.7% -1.9
August 4.4% -2.2
September 4.4% -1.6
October 4.5% -1.5
November 4.7% -1.1
December 5.2% -0.3
Average 4.5%

Data source

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

See also