Inflation Zimbabwe 2021
Average inflation: 143.3%
Inflation in 2021
Inflation is very high at 143.3%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in January at 362.6%. The lowest inflation was in August at 50.2%.
- Highest month
- January: 362.6%
- Lowest month
- August: 50.2%
- Difference
- 312.4 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Historical Context
Inflation is 59.4 percentage points lower than the 5-year average of 202.7%.
- 5-year average
- 202.7%
- 10-year average
- 101.5%
- All-time high (2020)
- 621.5%
- All-time low (2015)
- -2.4%
Trend
Over the period 2019-2021, inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2020, inflation has fallen by 478.2 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- -478.2 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- July: -781.2 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 141.3 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 ZWL 100 this year will cost approximately ZWL 243.30 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2021
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 362.6% | -110.5 |
| February | 321.6% | -218.6 |
| March | 240.5% | -435.7 |
| April | 194.1% | -571.8 |
| May | 161.9% | -623.3 |
| June | 106.6% | -630.7 |
| July | 56.4% | -781.2 |
| August | 50.2% | -710.8 |
| September | 51.6% | -607.8 |
| October | 54.5% | -416.8 |
| November | 58.4% | -343.2 |
| December | 60.7% | -287.9 |
| Average | 143.3% |
Data source
Data from WorldBank. Last updated: 06/01/2026.