After grappling with a concerning dip into negative territory, South Africa's Consumer Price Index (CPI) has shown a glimmer of growth, increasing by 0.2% in December 2025. This marks a notable turnaround from the previous month, November 2025, when the CPI recorded a decrease of 0.1%. The latest data, updated as of January 21, 2026, provides a cautiously optimistic view of the country's economic landscape.
The month-over-month assessment highlights a pivotal shift, contrasting the downward trajectory seen in November. The bounce back in December could suggest that South Africa is beginning to navigate out of the deflationary pressures that have characterized its recent economic reporting periods.
As the nation moves forward, the 0.2% rise serves as a hopeful indicator for policymakers and economists, reflecting a potential stabilization in consumer prices which could bolster confidence and support economic planning in the new year. Stakeholders and market participants will be keenly observing upcoming data releases to determine if this positive change marks the start of a more sustained recovery in consumer price momentum.
