South Africa’s inflation rises to 4.4% in August, Stats SA says

South Africa’s annual consumer inflation rose to 4.4% in August from 4.3% in July, Statistics South Africa reported in its new Consumer Price Index release on Wednesday, 23 September.

Prices across the measured basket were unchanged from July to August. The higher annual rate compares prices with August 2025; it does not mean the overall basket became 4.4% dearer in a single month.

Housing and utilities rose 5.2% over the year and contributed 1.3 percentage points to the headline rate. Transport prices were up 8.8%, contributing another 1.2 percentage points, according to Stats SA’s detailed tables.

Fuel was 20.0% dearer than a year earlier, although its index fell 1.3% between July and August. Water supply and related services rose 7.2% year on year, while electricity, gas and other fuels increased 7.4%.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages rose 1.1% from August 2025, a markedly slower pace than transport and housing costs. Within that group, the food index rose 0.7% over the year. Cereal products were 1.9% cheaper, while meat was 1.5% dearer, Stats SA’s release shows.

The agency recorded annual services inflation of 5.1% and goods inflation of 3.3%. Its measure excluding food, non-alcoholic beverages, fuel and energy was 4.1%.

The August figures were released at 10:00 SAST on Wednesday. The next CPI release, covering September, is scheduled for 21 October. These are published price measures, not a decision on interest rates or a forecast of future household bills.