Inflation South Africa 2016
Average inflation: 6.6%
Inflation in 2016
Inflation is very high at 6.6%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in November at 7.0%. The lowest inflation was in January at 6.2%.
- Highest month
- November: 7.0%
- Lowest month
- January: 6.2%
- Difference
- 0.8 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 11.6%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -0.1%.
- Highest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 11.6%
- Lowest increase
- Communication: -0.1%
Historical Context
Inflation is 0.9 percentage points higher than the 5-year average of 5.7%.
- 5-year average
- 5.7%
- 10-year average
- 6.1%
- All-time high (2008)
- 9.9%
- All-time low (2004)
- -0.7%
Trend
Over the period 2014-2016, inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2015, inflation has risen by 2.1 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- +2.1 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- February: +2.9 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 4.6 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 106.60 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2016
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2015 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 6.2% | +1.6 |
| February | 6.9% | +2.9 |
| March | 6.5% | +2.3 |
| April | 6.5% | +2.0 |
| May | 6.5% | +2.1 |
| June | 6.6% | +2.0 |
| July | 6.5% | +1.8 |
| August | 6.4% | +2.0 |
| September | 6.5% | +2.1 |
| October | 6.7% | +2.2 |
| November | 7.0% | +2.3 |
| December | 6.9% | +1.7 |
| Average | 6.6% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.