Nigeria vs South Africa: Inflation Comparison

Compare cumulative inflation, annual rates and purchasing power between Nigeria and South Africa from 2000 to 2026, based on World Bank CPI data.

Cumulative inflation in Nigeria was 2,262.8% between 2000 and 2026, according to World Bank CPI data (FP.CPI.TOTL).

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

VS

Nigeria

NGN
+2,262.8% Total Inflation
14.08% Avg Annual Rate
-95.8% Purchasing Power Lost
VS

South Africa

ZAR
+162.9% Total Inflation
3.94% Avg Annual Rate
-62.0% Purchasing Power Lost
🏆
South Africa had lower cumulative inflation — 2,100.0 percentage points less than the other country.

CPI Comparison Chart

Year-by-Year Comparison

Year Nigeria CPI Nigeria (Change) South Africa CPI South Africa (Change)
2000 29.60 - 59.99 -
2001 35.19 +18.9% 63.41 +5.7%
2002 39.72 +12.9% 69.43 +9.5%
2003 45.29 +14.0% 73.38 +5.7%
2004 52.08 +15.0% 72.87 -0.7%
2005 61.39 +17.9% 74.37 +2.1%
2006 66.44 +8.2% 76.78 +3.2%
2007 70.02 +5.4% 81.53 +6.2%
2008 78.12 +11.6% 89.61 +9.9%
2009 87.92 +12.5% 96.09 +7.2%
2010 100.00 +13.7% 100.00 +4.1%
2011 110.83 +10.8% 105.00 +5.0%
2012 124.37 +12.2% 111.03 +5.7%
2013 134.94 +8.5% 117.44 +5.8%
2014 145.80 +8.0% 124.65 +6.1%
2015 158.93 +9.0% 130.28 +4.5%
2016 183.88 +15.7% 138.88 +6.6%
2017 214.23 +16.5% 146.08 +5.2%
2018 240.14 +12.1% 152.67 +4.5%
2019 267.51 +11.4% 158.93 +4.1%
2020 302.94 +13.2% 127.50 -19.8%
2021 354.30 +17.0% 135.05 +5.9%
2022 421.07 +18.8% 145.26 +7.6%
2023 524.91 +24.7% 152.81 +5.2%
2024 699.39 +33.2% 157.21 +2.9%
2025 - - 157.68 +0.3%

Inflation by Decade: Nigeria vs South Africa

Year-by-year CPI and inflation for Nigeria and South Africa, 2000–2026
Year Nigeria (Total Inflation) Nigeria (Avg Annual Rate) South Africa (Total Inflation) South Africa (Avg Annual Rate)
1960s +32.3% 3.16% +26.1% 2.61%
1970s +271.4% 15.69% +143.0% 10.37%
1980s +455.1% 20.98% +243.2% 14.69%
1990s +1,046.8% 31.14% +123.6% 9.35%
2000s +197.0% 12.86% +60.2% 5.37%
2010s +167.5% 11.55% +58.9% 5.28%
2020s +130.9% 23.27% +23.7% 4.34%

The inflation gap between Nigeria and South Africa widened to 2,100.0 percentage points from 2000 to 2026.

₦100 in Nigeria in 2000 lost roughly the same relative value as R11.12 in South Africa.

Nigeria's highest annual inflation was 33.2% in 2024; South Africa's was 9.9% in 2008.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which had higher inflation, Nigeria or South Africa?

Between 2000 and 2026, Nigeria had higher cumulative inflation (2262.81%) than South Africa (162.85%), according to World Bank CPI data.

What was cumulative inflation in Nigeria from 2000 to 2026?

Prices in Nigeria rose 2262.81% cumulatively, an average of 14.08% per year.

What was cumulative inflation in South Africa from 2000 to 2026?

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

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Calculate Individually

Between 2000 and 2026, South Africa had lower cumulative inflation (162.9%) than Nigeria (2,262.8%).