South Africa: cost of living

What is food inflation in South Africa?

Annual food inflation in South Africa was 0.7% in August 2026, and 1.1% for food and non-alcoholic beverages together, according to the Stats SA Consumer Price Index, released on 23 September 2026. Headline inflation was 4.4%.

Prices of cereal products fell 1.9% over the year and vegetables 0.6%, while meat rose 1.5% and hot beverages 5.7%. Food makes up about 17% of the CPI basket, but a larger share of spending for low-income households: inflation for the poorest tenth of households was 2.9%. The September CPI is due on 21 October 2026.

Official sources: Stats SA: Consumer Price Index, August 2026 (PDF)

Why are petrol prices going up in South Africa?

The price of 95 octane petrol rose by R3.33 a litre on 7 October 2026, after a R1.34 increase in September, according to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, as reported by SAnews. The department said the average Brent crude price rose from US$87.89 to US$101 a barrel during the review period, citing US/Iran tensions and uncertainty over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Fuel prices are set monthly from international product prices, the exchange rate, taxes and levies. In the August 2026 CPI, fuel prices were 20.0% higher than a year earlier.

Official sources: SAnews: Petrol, diesel prices set to climb (5 October 2026) · Stats SA: Consumer Price Index, August 2026 (PDF)

How much have electricity prices risen in South Africa?

Prices for electricity, gas and other fuels in South Africa were 7.4% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, according to the Stats SA Consumer Price Index. Water supply and related services rose 7.2%, and administered prices as a whole rose 10.6%, against headline inflation of 4.4%.

Electricity tariffs are approved by the energy regulator and charged by Eskom and municipalities, and they usually change once a year, in April for Eskom customers and July for most municipal customers. The CPI records these changes in the months they take effect.

Official sources: Stats SA: Consumer Price Index, August 2026 (PDF)

How many South Africans go hungry?

14.7% of people in South Africa experienced hunger in 2025, up from 11.1% in 2019, according to the Stats SA General Household Survey 2025, released on 26 May 2026. 22.0% of households said their access to food was inadequate or severely inadequate.

Food access problems were most common in the Northern Cape (43.0% of households), North West (32.3%) and the Eastern Cape (30.8%), and least common in Limpopo (6.1%). The survey asks households whether members went hungry and how they changed their eating because of a lack of money, so the figures are self-reported.

Official sources: Stats SA: General Household Survey 2025 (PDF)

How many South Africans receive social grants?

39.5% of individuals and 50.6% of households in South Africa benefited from social grants in 2025, according to the Stats SA General Household Survey 2025. Grants were the main source of income for 23.4% of households. The 2026 Budget allocated R292.8 billion to social grants for 2026/27 and raised the old age, disability and care dependency grants by R80 to R2,400 a month from April 2026.

The survey figures include the Social Relief of Distress grant introduced during COVID-19. Salaries and wages were the main income source for 54.3% of households.

Official sources: Stats SA: General Household Survey 2025 (PDF) · National Treasury: 2026 Budget Speech (PDF)

What is the inflation rate in South Africa?

3.2%: that is consumer price inflation in South Africa for 2025, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.1% (2005) to 9.9% (2008). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 3.4%; South Africa is 24th highest of 39. Of 165 countries with 2025 data, 80th highest.

How much do people in South Africa spend?

According to the World Bank, household consumption per person in South Africa was $3,907 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at $3,980; its low point was 2005, at $3,293. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $840, and South Africa placed 3rd highest of 37. World rank, highest first: 64th of 124.

How many people in South Africa live on under $3 a day?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2022, is 17.4%. It was 27.9% in 2014. It is 6th highest of 7 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 41.8%. World rank, highest first: 7th of 72.

What is the poverty rate in South Africa?

The World Bank puts the share of people below the national poverty line in South Africa at 37.9% in 2022. It was 46.7% in 2014. It is 8th highest of 8 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 53.0%. Worldwide: 9th of 52.

How unequal are incomes in South Africa?

According to the World Bank, the Gini index in South Africa was 54.1 in 2022. That compares with 59.6 in 2014. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 38.5, and South Africa placed 1st highest of 7. Worldwide: 2nd of 72.

How many people in South Africa go hungry?

20.9%: that is moderate or severe food insecurity in South Africa for 2024, according to the FAO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2018. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 60.5%; South Africa is 33rd highest of 34. Of 135 countries with 2024 data, 68th highest.