The Consumer Price Index eased to 5.7% in January of 2022, from a near five-year high of 5.9% in December. Prices slowed for transport and health but rose faster for food, housing and utilities.
The annual consumer price inflation was 5.9% in December 2021, compared with 5.5% in November. It’s the highest recorded annual rate since March 2017, when it increased by 6.1%. Transport prices increased by a massive 16.8%, on the back of rising petrol and diesel prices.
The Consumer Price Index increased to 5.5% in November 2021, compared with 5% in October. That’s the biggest annual increase in almost 5 years. The transport category contributed the most to the inflation in November, recording an annual increase of 15%.
The Consumer Price Index came out unchanged at 5% compared to September. Food and transport costs are the biggest contributors to the rate, with the transport index increasing by 10.9% in October 2021 compared with October 2020. And the SARB has raised its main lending rate by 25 basis points to 3.75%, meaning the prime lending rate of commercial banks will increase to 7.25%.
The headline inflation rose to 5% in September 2021 from 4.9% in August 2021. Food inflation is 7%, electricity 14%, and fuel almost 20%, with a large petrol price increase expected in November.
The term inflation means a sustained increase in the general level of prices of goods and services. The headline annual inflation rate increased to 4.9% in August 2021 from 4.6% in July 2021.
The headline inflation rate in May 2021 accelerated to 5.2 % year on year. The prices of food, transport, public transport and administered prices continue to drive inflation. Remember that inflation statistics refer to the past twelve months, while wage increases refer to the months to come.
The headline annual inflation rate increased to 4.4% in April 2021 from 3.2% in March 2021. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.7% month-on-month in April 2021.