South Africa vs Nigeria: Inflation Comparison

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

Cumulative inflation in South Africa was 162.9% between 2000 and 2026, according to World Bank CPI data (FP.CPI.TOTL).

Over the same period, cumulative inflation in Nigeria was 2,262.8%.

VS

South Africa

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

Nigeria

NGN
+2,262.8% Total Inflation
14.08% Avg Annual Rate
-95.8% Purchasing Power Lost
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South Africa had lower cumulative inflation — 2,100.0 percentage points less than the other country.

CPI Comparison Chart

Year-by-Year Comparison

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

Inflation by Decade: South Africa vs Nigeria

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

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

R100 in South Africa in 2000 lost roughly the same relative value as ₦898.92 in Nigeria.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which had higher inflation, South Africa or Nigeria?

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 South Africa from 2000 to 2026?

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

What was cumulative inflation in Nigeria from 2000 to 2026?

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

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