South Africa vs United States: Inflation Comparison
Compare cumulative inflation, annual rates and purchasing power between South Africa and United States 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 United States was 312.9%.
South Africa
ZARUnited States
USDCPI Comparison Chart
Year-by-Year Comparison
| Year | South Africa CPI | South Africa (Change) | United States CPI | United States (Change) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 59.99 | - | 78.97 | - |
| 2001 | 63.41 | +5.7% | 81.20 | +2.8% |
| 2002 | 69.43 | +9.5% | 82.49 | +1.6% |
| 2003 | 73.38 | +5.7% | 84.36 | +2.3% |
| 2004 | 72.87 | -0.7% | 86.62 | +2.7% |
| 2005 | 74.37 | +2.1% | 89.56 | +3.4% |
| 2006 | 76.78 | +3.2% | 92.45 | +3.2% |
| 2007 | 81.53 | +6.2% | 95.09 | +2.9% |
| 2008 | 89.61 | +9.9% | 98.74 | +3.8% |
| 2009 | 96.09 | +7.2% | 98.39 | -0.4% |
| 2010 | 100.00 | +4.1% | 100.00 | +1.6% |
| 2011 | 105.00 | +5.0% | 103.16 | +3.2% |
| 2012 | 111.03 | +5.7% | 105.29 | +2.1% |
| 2013 | 117.44 | +5.8% | 106.83 | +1.5% |
| 2014 | 124.65 | +6.1% | 108.57 | +1.6% |
| 2015 | 130.28 | +4.5% | 108.70 | +0.1% |
| 2016 | 138.88 | +6.6% | 110.07 | +1.3% |
| 2017 | 146.08 | +5.2% | 112.41 | +2.1% |
| 2018 | 152.67 | +4.5% | 115.16 | +2.4% |
| 2019 | 158.93 | +4.1% | 117.24 | +1.8% |
| 2020 | 127.50 | -19.8% | 262.05 | +123.5% |
| 2021 | 135.05 | +5.9% | 280.81 | +7.2% |
| 2022 | 145.26 | +7.6% | 298.81 | +6.4% |
| 2023 | 152.81 | +5.2% | 308.74 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | 157.21 | +2.9% | 317.60 | +2.9% |
| 2025 | 157.68 | +0.3% | 326.03 | +2.7% |
Inflation by Decade: South Africa vs United States
| Year | South Africa (Total Inflation) | South Africa (Avg Annual Rate) | United States (Total Inflation) | United States (Avg Annual Rate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | +26.1% | 2.61% | +24.0% | 2.42% |
| 1970s | +143.0% | 10.37% | +86.9% | 7.20% |
| 1980s | +243.2% | 14.69% | +50.4% | 4.64% |
| 1990s | +123.6% | 9.35% | +27.5% | 2.74% |
| 2000s | +60.2% | 5.37% | +24.6% | 2.47% |
| 2010s | +58.9% | 5.28% | +17.2% | 1.78% |
| 2020s | +23.7% | 4.34% | +24.4% | 4.47% |
The inflation gap between South Africa and United States widened to 150.0 percentage points from 2000 to 2026.
R100 in South Africa in 2000 lost roughly the same relative value as $157.07 in United States.
South Africa's highest annual inflation was 9.9% in 2008; United States's was 123.5% in 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which had higher inflation, South Africa or United States?
Between 2000 and 2026, United States had higher cumulative inflation (312.85%) 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 United States from 2000 to 2026?
Prices in United States rose 312.85% cumulatively, an average of 5.84% per year.
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Calculate Individually
Between 2000 and 2026, South Africa had lower cumulative inflation (162.9%) than United States (312.9%).