IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Hitting the ceiling of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) inflation target range, the CPI comes in at 6% this month, with a 1,3% monthly increase. The monthly increase is the largest since June 2008 (1,4%). The monthly increase has been steadily increasing since a low of 0,1% in November 2013. Food and non-alcoholic beverages registers a 7% increase, the highest annual rate since August 2013 (7,1%). Most food groups are showing high inflation, with vegetables having the highest annual rate at 12,8%. Onions and tomatoes both have annual rates over 20%.

March is the month in which excise tax increases are implemented. Alcoholic beverages increased by 2% between February and March, with a 5,8% annual increase

In 2014 parents paid on average 8,6% more for their children’s primary school fees and 7,7% more for secondary school fees than in 2013. The province with the largest change in primary school fees was Northern Cape 10,9% and Limpopo largest change in secondary school fees of 15,3%. Continuing with education, the cost of textbooks increased by 13,6% compared with March 2013.

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