South Africa’s headline consumer inflation accelerated for the second consecutive month, reaching 3.6% year-on-year in October 2025, up from 3.4% in September, Statistics South Africa reported on Wednesday.
The October figure represents the highest rate since September 2024, when inflation stood at 3.8%. Month-on-month, the Consumer Price Index rose by 0.1%.
Regional differences were marked, with North West recording the highest provincial inflation rate at 4.3%, while Eastern Cape registered the lowest at 3.1%.
In an unusual development, the wealthiest households experienced the steepest price increases among all income groups. Inflation for the very high-expenditure category reached 3.9%, exceeding the rates faced by lower-income households, which normally endure higher inflation due to heavier weighting of food and transport costs.
The reversal is attributed to stronger price pressures in categories that carry greater weight for higher-income consumers, including insurance, recreation, restaurants, and certain housing-related expenses.
Food and non-alcoholic beverage inflation continued its downward trend, easing to 3.9% in October.
Overall inflation remains well within the South African Reserve Bank’s 3–6% target band.