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<\/a><\/p>\nThe December print concludes the results for the calendar year. The average inflation rate for 2025 was 3,2%. This is the lowest rate in 21 years (since 2004) when it was 1,4%. The next most recent year that average inflation was lower than 3,2% was in 1969 (3,0%), 56 years ago.<\/p>\n
December records steady food inflation<\/strong><\/p>\n The annual rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) was stable at 4,4% in December.<\/p>\n Meat inflation continued its upward trajectory, rising to 12,6% in December from 12,2% in November. The rate was -0,4% in December\u00a02024, which shows how quickly meat inflation has accelerated over the year.<\/p>\n Beef inflation remains at high levels. Beef steak, for example, recorded an annual price change of 28,4% in November, and rose to 29,4% in December. Other notable red meat products that registered higher rates include sausages (from 18,5% in November to 19,4% in December), boerewors (17,2% to 18,2%), mutton (13,7% to 15,0%) and pork (9,4% to 11,5%).<\/p>\n Inflation for cereal products rose from 1,7% in November to 2,1% in December. Several key items experienced faster price increases, including brown bread (accelerating from 0,5% to 1,0%), white bread (1,3% to 1,7%) and spaghetti (1,7% to 3,1%).<\/p>\n Inflation for maize meal declined for a second consecutive month, slowing to 9,5% in December from 9,9% in November.<\/p>\n The milk, other dairy products & eggs category remained in deflationary territory at -1,1%, mainly led by cheaper milk products. The annual rate for fresh full-cream milk, for example, declined further to -1,5% from -1,2% in November. Cheese continues to buck the trend. Cheddar prices rose by 9,0% in the 12 months to December, higher than the 4,9% rise recorded in November.<\/p>\n The annual rate for oil & fats slowed to 4,6%, with sunflower oil softening to 6,2% from November\u2019s 6,6%. Olive oil is 8,0% cheaper than a year ago.<\/p>\n Prices for non-alcoholic beverages rose by 4,2% in the 12 months to December, higher than November\u2019s rate of 3,7%. Inflation for cold beverages recorded a notable rise from 1,4% in November to 2,2% in December.<\/p>\n The graph below shows the food and beverage products that recorded the sharpest price increases and decreases.<\/p>\n Other notable price changes<\/strong><\/p>\n Results from the quarterly survey of housing rents were published in December. Actual rentals increased by 0,8% in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared with the third quarter, down from 1,1% recorded in the previous quarter. The annual change for actual rentals was 3,7% with townhouses increasing by 4,6%, flats by 4,2% and houses by 3,3%.<\/p>\n Domestic workers saw their pay increase by an annual 3,8% in December, lower than the 4,1% rise recorded at the end of 2024.<\/p>\n Fuel prices rose by 0,6% in the 12 months to December. Diesel was up by 3,7% and petrol by 0,1%.<\/p>\n Fares for long-distance busses rose significantly (by 38,6%) between November and December. Sharp monthly increases in December are typical, reflecting a spike in travel during the festive season. Despite this monthly increase, these prices were 5,6% cheaper this December compared with December in the previous year.<\/p>\n Accommodation services recorded a decline of 3,2% between November and December, with hotel prices easing by 5,0%.<\/p>\n For more information, download the December\u00a02025 CPI statistical release and associated Excel files with indices and average prices here.<\/a><\/p>\n Similar articles are available on the Stats SA website and can be accessed here<\/a>.<\/p>\n For a monthly overview of economic indicators and infographics, catch the latest edition of the Stats Biz newsletter here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/sub><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Consumer price inflation ticked higher in December to end the year at 3,6% from 3,5% in November. The change in the consumer price index (CPI) between November and December was 0,2%. The December print concludes the results for the calendar year. The average inflation rate for 2025 was 3,2%. This is the lowest rate in read more »<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n