Japan vs South Africa: Inflation Comparison

Compare cumulative inflation, annual rates and purchasing power between Japan and South Africa from 2000 to 2025, based on World Bank CPI data.

Cumulative inflation in Japan was 11.4% between 2000 and 2025, according to World Bank CPI data (FP.CPI.TOTL).

Over the same period, cumulative inflation in South Africa was 162.9%.

VS

Japan

JPY
+11.4% Total Inflation
0.45% Avg Annual Rate
-10.3% Purchasing Power Lost
VS

South Africa

ZAR
+162.9% Total Inflation
3.94% Avg Annual Rate
-62.0% Purchasing Power Lost
🏆
Japan had lower cumulative inflation — 151.4 percentage points less than the other country.

CPI Comparison Chart

Year-by-Year Comparison

Year Japan CPI Japan (Change) South Africa CPI South Africa (Change)
2000 102.67 - 59.99 -
2001 101.91 -0.7% 63.41 +5.7%
2002 100.97 -0.9% 69.43 +9.5%
2003 100.71 -0.3% 73.38 +5.7%
2004 100.70 0.0% 72.87 -0.7%
2005 100.41 -0.3% 74.37 +2.1%
2006 100.66 +0.2% 76.78 +3.2%
2007 100.72 +0.1% 81.53 +6.2%
2008 102.12 +1.4% 89.61 +9.9%
2009 100.73 -1.4% 96.09 +7.2%
2010 100.00 -0.7% 100.00 +4.1%
2011 99.73 -0.3% 105.00 +5.0%
2012 99.68 0.0% 111.03 +5.7%
2013 100.02 +0.3% 117.44 +5.8%
2014 102.78 +2.8% 124.65 +6.1%
2015 103.59 +0.8% 130.28 +4.5%
2016 103.46 -0.1% 138.88 +6.6%
2017 103.96 +0.5% 146.08 +5.2%
2018 104.99 +1.0% 152.67 +4.5%
2019 105.48 +0.5% 158.93 +4.1%
2020 101.09 -4.2% 127.50 -19.8%
2021 101.30 +0.2% 135.05 +5.9%
2022 107.84 +6.5% 145.26 +7.6%
2023 111.36 +3.3% 152.81 +5.2%
2024 114.41 +2.7% 157.21 +2.9%
2025 - - 157.68 +0.3%

Inflation by Decade: Japan vs South Africa

Year-by-year CPI and inflation for Japan and South Africa, 2000–2025
Year Japan (Total Inflation) Japan (Avg Annual Rate) South Africa (Total Inflation) South Africa (Avg Annual Rate)
1960s +61.1% 5.44% +26.1% 2.61%
1970s +119.1% 9.11% +143.0% 10.37%
1980s +18.9% 1.94% +243.2% 14.69%
1990s +9.3% 1.00% +123.6% 9.35%
2000s -1.9% -0.21% +60.2% 5.37%
2010s +5.5% 0.60% +58.9% 5.28%
2020s +13.2% 3.14% +23.7% 4.34%

The inflation gap between Japan and South Africa widened to 151.4 percentage points from 2000 to 2025.

¥100 in Japan in 2000 lost roughly the same relative value as R235.87 in South Africa.

Japan's highest annual inflation was 6.5% in 2022; South Africa's was 9.9% in 2008.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which had higher inflation, Japan or South Africa?

Between 2000 and 2025, South Africa had higher cumulative inflation (162.85%) than Japan (11.44%), according to World Bank CPI data.

What was cumulative inflation in Japan from 2000 to 2025?

Prices in Japan rose 11.44% cumulatively, an average of 0.45% per year.

What was cumulative inflation in South Africa from 2000 to 2025?

Prices in South Africa rose 162.85% cumulatively, an average of 3.94% per year.

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Between 2000 and 2025, Japan had lower cumulative inflation (11.4%) than South Africa (162.9%).

Source: World Bank, CPI (FP.CPI.TOTL)
Data verified: January 17, 2026 · How to cite this

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