South Africa's Core Consumer Price Index (CPI) has slipped slightly, according to the latest data update on January 22, 2025. The index, which excludes food and energy prices due to their volatility, recorded a rate of 3.6% in December 2024. This marks a slight decrease from the 3.7% seen in the previous month of November 2024.
The year-over-year comparison highlights this change, as the previous month's rate of 3.7% was also measured against November of the previous year. The December reading provides a clearer picture of the inflation landscape in South Africa, offering insights into the central bank's perspective on underlying price trends.
While the slight decrease in the Core CPI might provide some relief to consumers, the overall trend signifies a continued, though moderate, inflationary pressure in the economy. Stakeholders will be closely monitoring these figures, as they could influence future monetary policy decisions by the South African Reserve Bank.
