South Africa’s consumer price inflation (CPI) inched higher in August 2026, rising to 4.4% year-on-year, up from 4.3% recorded in July 2026. The latest data, updated on 23 September 2026, shows that price pressures remain contained, with inflation still comfortably within the South African Reserve Bank’s 3–6% target range.
Both the current and previous readings are measured on a year-over-year basis, comparing each month’s price changes to the same month a year earlier. The slight uptick in August suggests that while inflationary pressures have firmed modestly, the overall environment remains relatively stable, offering some reassurance for policymakers and markets monitoring the trajectory of consumer prices.
