COVID-19: Stats SA speeds up the monitoring of consumer prices
When the COVID-19 lockdown went into effect on 27 March, the range of products available to households for purchase was restricted to a set of defined essential goods and services. Since the beginning of the lockdown, Stats SA has been measuring price changes for those essential goods that appear in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) read more »
Inflation dips to 4,1%
Annual CPI inflation nudged lower to 4,1% in March from February’s reading of 4,6%. There were two key features of the CPI in March: the incorporation of fee data from educational institutions (including crèches) and the effect of the latest increases in excise tariffs. Tuition fees are surveyed once a year in March. On average, read more »
Impact of COVID-19 on Economic Statistics in Statistics South Africa
Background The personal, social and economic impact of COVID-19 is unlike anything experienced by the world in the past 75 years. Stats SA is aware of the need for timely data to understand these impacts, but is equally constrained by the restrictions put in place to manage the spread of the coronavirus. The task of read more »
Inflation edges up to 4,6%
South Africa’s annual inflation rate nudged up to 4,6% in February from January’s 4,5%, inching past the 4,5% midpoint of the South African Reserve Bank’s monetary policy target range. The last time the inflation rate was above the midpoint was in November 2018 when the rate was 5,2%. The monthly shift in consumer prices – read more »
Making rands and sense of price data
How much do South Africans pay for groceries? Stats SA has released a list with prices of 191 popular retail items with data going back to 2017. The list holds some surprises. Pulled from that list, each item in the graphic below has its own unique story. The national average price of a loaf of read more »
Inflation quickens for a second month in a row
South Africa’s annual inflation rate was 4,5% in January, higher than that recorded in December (4,0%) and November (3,6%). This places inflation right on the 4,5% midpoint of the South African Reserve Bank’s monetary policy target range. The main contributors to the 4,5% rate were food and non-alcoholic beverages; housing and utilities; transport; and miscellaneous read more »
Inflation quickens slightly in December
Annual consumer inflation edged up to 4,0% in December from November’s 3,6%. The main contributors to the 4,0% rate were food and non-alcoholic beverages; housing and utilities; transport; and miscellaneous goods and services. The food and non-alcoholic beverages category recorded an annual rate of 3,9%, slightly higher than the 3,5% recorded in November. Bread and read more »
Inflation continues to edge lower
Annual inflation eased further in November, falling to 3,6% from October’s 3,7%. This is the third successive month of disinflation, which means that the pace of price increases is slowing down. November’s reading is the lowest since December 2010 when the rate was 3,5%. The highest rate recorded since December 2010 was 7,0% in February read more »
Inflation the lowest in over eight years
Annual consumer inflation continued its downward streak, dropping to 3,7% in October from 4,1% in September. October’s reading is the lowest since February 2011 when the annual rate was also 3,7%. Consumers can breathe a sigh of relief at this news, as the prices of many goods and services are increasing at a much slower read more »
Inflation dips lower in July
Annual consumer price inflation retreated to 4,0% in July from 4,5% in June. This is the lowest CPI headline rate since January, when it was also 4,0%. A fall in fuel prices and a rise in municipal tariffs were the key price movers during the month. Fuel prices edged lower in July, bringing some relief read more »