🇿🇦 South Africa CPI (most recent)
Current headline inflation:
👉 CPI rose to 3.6% year-on-year in October 2025 — up from 3.4% in September — meaning prices are rising a bit faster for consumers. Food, housing and utilities were the main drivers.
This level is still within the SA Reserve Bank’s target range (3–6%).
Earlier in 2025, inflation eased at points — e.g., around 3.3–3.5% — as food price pressures moderated.
Overall annual CPI inflation in 2025 was at its lowest in ~20 years thanks to slower broad price rises — but essentials like meat and food remain relatively pricey.
South African inflation is still rising but not explosively — while food and utilities continue to pinch household budgets.
🇺🇸 U.S. CPI – Latest (December 2025)
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
📈 CPI for All Urban Consumers was up 2.7% over the 12 months ending December 2025 (not seasonally adjusted).
• On a monthly basis, prices were up slightly (0.3% seasonally adjusted).
• Core inflation (excluding food & energy) was up ~2.6%.
📰 Why Economists & Markets Watch CPI
CPI is crucial because it measures how fast consumer prices are rising and shapes economic decisions like:
• Interest rate moves by central banks
• Wage and cost-of-living adjustments
• Investment and bond market reactions