South Africa’s consumer price pressures eased in May 2026, with the country’s Month-over-Month Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising 0.7%, down from a 1.1% increase recorded in April 2026. The latest data, updated on 17 June 2026, indicate a moderation in short-term inflation momentum.
The comparison shows that while prices continued to climb in May, the pace of increase slowed relative to the previous month. In April, the 1.1% Month-over-Month gain reflected a stronger acceleration in prices compared with March, whereas May’s 0.7% reading points to a partial cooling in monthly inflation dynamics.
These figures are based on a Month-over-Month comparison, where each month’s “actual” value measures the price change relative to the preceding month. The shift from 1.1% in April to 0.7% in May suggests some relief in near-term inflationary pressures, an important signal for consumers, businesses and policymakers tracking the cost-of-living trend.
