Inflation South Africa 2020
Average inflation: 3.2%
Current Inflation
Inflation is high at 3.2%, well above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in February at 4.5%. The lowest inflation was in May at 1.9%.
- Highest month
- February: 4.5%
- Lowest month
- May: 1.9%
- Difference
- 2.6 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Education with an average of 6.4%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -0.2%.
- Highest increase
- Education: 6.4%
- Lowest increase
- Communication: -0.2%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 1.5% lower than the 5-year average of 4.7%.
- 5-year average
- 4.7%
- 10-year average
- 5.1%
- All-time high (2008)
- 9.9%
- All-time low (2004)
- -0.7%
Trend
Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2019, inflation has fallen by +0.9 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- -0.9 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- May: -2.5 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 1.2% 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 €103.20 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2020
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4.4% | +0.6 |
| February | 4.5% | +0.4 |
| March | 4.2% | -0.3 |
| April | 3.0% | -1.3 |
| May | 1.9% | -2.5 |
| June | 2.2% | -2.2 |
| July | 3.2% | -0.8 |
| August | 3.1% | -1.3 |
| September | 2.9% | -1.2 |
| October | 3.3% | -0.3 |
| November | 3.2% | -0.4 |
| December | 3.0% | -1.0 |
| Average | 3.2% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 10/01/2026.