Inflation South Africa 2018
Average inflation: 4.5%
Current Inflation
Inflation is high at 4.5%, well above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in November at 5.1%. The lowest inflation was in March at 3.7%.
- Highest month
- November: 5.1%
- Lowest month
- March: 3.7%
- Difference
- 1.4 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Transport with an average of 6.9%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of 0.5%.
- Highest increase
- Transport: 6.9%
- Lowest increase
- Communication: 0.5%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 0.9% lower than the 5-year average of 5.4%.
- 5-year average
- 5.4%
- 10-year average
- 5.5%
- All-time high (2008)
- 9.9%
- All-time low (2004)
- -0.7%
Trend
Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2017, inflation has fallen by +0.7 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- -0.7 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- February: -2.7 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 2.5% 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 €100 this year will cost approximately €104.50 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2018
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4.3% | -2.6 |
| February | 3.8% | -2.7 |
| March | 3.7% | -2.4 |
| April | 4.2% | -1.1 |
| May | 4.4% | -0.9 |
| June | 4.3% | -0.7 |
| July | 5.0% | +0.8 |
| August | 4.8% | +0.3 |
| September | 4.9% | +0.1 |
| October | 5.0% | +0.2 |
| November | 5.1% | +0.8 |
| December | 4.6% | +0.1 |
| Average | 4.5% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 10/01/2026.