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South Africa inflation rate by year, 1990 to 2025

South Africa: 3.21% in 2025. Inflation rate peaked at 15.33% in 1991 in this 1990–2025 series.

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What the data shows

  • South Africa: 14.32% in 1990, 3.21% in 2025. It peaked at 15.33% in 1991.
  • Netherlands: 2.45% in 1990, 3.20% in 2025. It peaked at 10.00% in 2022.
  • Japan: 3.08% in 1990, 3.17% in 2025. It peaked at 3.27% in 2023.
  • Mali: 0.61% in 1990, 3.28% in 2025. It peaked at 23.18% in 1994.

About this chart

South Africa's annual consumer-price inflation reached 15.33% in 1991, the high for the displayed period. The latest reading was 3.21% in 2025; the series began at 14.32% in 1990. The displayed annual series runs from 1990 through 2025; its lowest value was -0.69% in 2004. The preceding annual observation, for 2024, was 4.36%.

Consumer-price inflation measures the annual percentage change in the cost of a consumer basket. A lower positive rate means prices rise more slowly, not that the price level falls; negative values indicate declining prices. In 2025, the comparison lines show Netherlands (3.20%), Japan (3.17%) and Mali (3.28%). These peers have the closest latest values among reporting countries with over one million people and a continuous common history; they are not selected by geography.

The data

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG), % annual consumer-price change. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Consumer-price inflation measures the annual percentage change in the cost of a consumer basket. A lower positive rate means prices rise more slowly, not that the price level falls; negative values indicate declining prices. Peers are selected by proximity to the country's latest value among countries with over one million people and a continuous common series.

South Africa: inflation rate, % annual consumer-price change, 1990 to 2025; three nearest peers, 1990–2025
Date🇿🇦 South Africa🇳🇱 Netherlands🇯🇵 Japan🇲🇱 Mali
199014.32%2.45%3.08%0.61%
199115.33%3.16%3.25%1.80%
199213.87%3.18%1.76%-6.24%
19939.72%2.58%1.24%-0.26%
19948.94%2.80%0.70%23.18%
19958.68%1.92%-0.13%13.44%
19967.35%1.95%0.14%6.81%
19978.60%2.11%1.75%-0.36%
19986.88%1.96%0.66%4.04%
19995.18%2.16%-0.34%-1.20%
20005.34%2.36%-0.68%-0.68%
20015.70%4.16%-0.74%5.19%
20029.49%3.29%-0.92%5.03%
20035.68%2.09%-0.26%-1.35%
2004-0.69%1.26%-0.01%-3.10%
20052.06%1.69%-0.28%6.40%
20063.24%1.10%0.25%1.54%
20076.18%1.61%0.06%1.41%
20089.91%2.49%1.38%9.17%
20097.24%1.19%-1.35%2.46%
20104.07%1.27%-0.73%1.11%
20115.00%2.34%-0.27%2.96%
20125.74%2.46%-0.04%5.32%
20135.78%2.51%0.34%-0.61%
20146.13%0.97%2.76%0.88%
20154.52%0.60%0.80%1.45%
20166.60%0.32%-0.13%-1.80%
20175.19%1.38%0.48%1.76%
20184.51%1.70%0.99%0.30%
20194.10%2.63%0.47%-1.66%
20203.23%1.27%-0.02%0.44%
20214.62%2.68%-0.23%3.93%
20227.04%10.00%2.50%9.62%
20236.08%3.84%3.27%2.06%
20244.36%3.35%2.74%3.21%
20253.21%3.20%3.17%3.28%

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Frequently asked questions

What is the inflation rate in South Africa?

South Africa's annual consumer-price inflation was 3.21% in 2025. This annual World Bank series should not be read as the latest monthly inflation release.

When was South Africa's inflation rate highest in this series?

The highest displayed value was 15.33% in 1991. This comparison covers 1990 through 2025; it is not a claim about years outside the available series.

Why are these countries compared with South Africa?

The comparison selects three countries with the closest 2025 values, among countries with over one million people and at least fifteen consecutive annual observations in common. The matching is based on the indicator level, not economic structure or geographic proximity.

Where does this data come from?

World Bank, World Development Indicators (FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG), % annual consumer-price change. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Consumer-price inflation measures the annual percentage change in the cost of a consumer basket. A lower positive rate means prices rise more slowly, not that the price level falls; negative values indicate declining prices. Peers are selected by proximity to the country's latest value among countries with over one million people and a continuous common series. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

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