South Africa vs Germany: Inflation Comparison

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

Cumulative inflation in South Africa was 162.9% between 2000 and 2025, according to World Bank CPI data (FP.CPI.TOTL).

Over the same period, cumulative inflation in Germany was 49.1%.

VS

South Africa

ZAR
+162.9% Total Inflation
3.94% Avg Annual Rate
-62.0% Purchasing Power Lost
VS

Germany

EUR
+49.1% Total Inflation
1.61% Avg Annual Rate
-32.9% Purchasing Power Lost
🏆
Germany had lower cumulative inflation — 113.8 percentage points less than the other country.

CPI Comparison Chart

Year-by-Year Comparison

Year South Africa CPI South Africa (Change) Germany CPI Germany (Change)
2000 59.99 - 85.70 -
2001 63.41 +5.7% 87.40 +2.0%
2002 69.43 +9.5% 88.64 +1.4%
2003 73.38 +5.7% 89.56 +1.0%
2004 72.87 -0.7% 91.05 +1.7%
2005 74.37 +2.1% 92.46 +1.5%
2006 76.78 +3.2% 93.92 +1.6%
2007 81.53 +6.2% 96.07 +2.3%
2008 89.61 +9.9% 98.60 +2.6%
2009 96.09 +7.2% 98.91 +0.3%
2010 100.00 +4.1% 100.00 +1.1%
2011 105.00 +5.0% 102.08 +2.1%
2012 111.03 +5.7% 104.13 +2.0%
2013 117.44 +5.8% 105.69 +1.5%
2014 124.65 +6.1% 106.65 +0.9%
2015 130.28 +4.5% 107.20 +0.5%
2016 138.88 +6.6% 107.73 +0.5%
2017 146.08 +5.2% 109.35 +1.5%
2018 152.67 +4.5% 111.25 +1.7%
2019 158.93 +4.1% 112.85 +1.4%
2020 127.50 -19.8% 105.22 -6.8%
2021 135.05 +5.9% 110.38 +4.9%
2022 145.26 +7.6% 119.34 +8.1%
2023 152.81 +5.2% 123.77 +3.7%
2024 157.21 +2.9% 127.04 +2.6%
2025 157.68 +0.3% 127.78 +0.6%

Inflation by Decade: South Africa vs Germany

Year-by-year CPI and inflation for South Africa and Germany, 2000–2025
Year South Africa (Total Inflation) South Africa (Avg Annual Rate) Germany (Total Inflation) Germany (Avg Annual Rate)
1960s +26.1% 2.61% +24.7% 2.49%
1970s +143.0% 10.37% +55.6% 5.03%
1980s +243.2% 14.69% +25.9% 2.59%
1990s +123.6% 9.35% +25.2% 2.53%
2000s +60.2% 5.37% +15.4% 1.61%
2010s +58.9% 5.28% +12.9% 1.35%
2020s +23.7% 4.34% +21.4% 3.96%

The inflation gap between South Africa and Germany widened to 113.8 percentage points from 2000 to 2025.

R100 in South Africa in 2000 lost roughly the same relative value as €56.72 in Germany.

Since 2000, South Africa ranks #12 and Germany ranks #4 of 17 countries by cumulative inflation.

South Africa's highest annual inflation was 9.9% in 2008; Germany's was 8.1% in 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which had higher inflation, South Africa or Germany?

Between 2000 and 2025, South Africa had higher cumulative inflation (162.85%) than Germany (49.1%), according to World Bank CPI data.

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.

What was cumulative inflation in Germany from 2000 to 2025?

Prices in Germany rose 49.1% cumulatively, an average of 1.61% per year.

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Between 2000 and 2025, Germany had lower cumulative inflation (49.1%) than South Africa (162.9%).

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

Main version of this comparison: Germany vs South Africa

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