South Africa closed out the year with consumer inflation edging slightly higher, as the latest figures showed prices rising modestly in December while the broader picture still points to historically low inflation for 2025, Cape town Etc reports.
Data shows consumer price inflation increased to 3,6 in December, up marginally from 3,5 in November, with prices rising by 0,2 month-on-month. Despite the uptick, the average inflation rate for the 2025 calendar year settled at 3,2, marking the lowest annual average in 21 years and the first time since 1969 that inflation remained below this level for a full year.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages held steady at an annual rate of 4,4 in December, but sharp differences emerged within the basket. Meat continued to place pressure on household budgets, with inflation climbing to 12,6 from 12,2 the previous month. This marks a dramatic turnaround from December 2024, when meat prices were still declining.
