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Consumers in South Africa are to brace themselves for the negative financial impact emanating from the war in the Middle East. With Crude oil prices increasing and affecting fuel prices in the country; the cost of living is expected to increase well.
Stats SA announced on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, that the annual Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) made a quantum leap in April 2026 from 3.1% to 4.0%, a 1.1% a month-on-month increase in April. According to Stats SA, CPI was 3.1% in March 2026.
The CPI report revealed that the main contributors to the 4,0% annual inflation rate were: • housing and utilities (5,2% and contributing 1,2 percentage points); • transport (4,9% and contributing 0,7 of a percentage point); and • insurance and financial services (5,7% and contributing 0,6 of a percentage point).
In April 2026, the annual inflation rate for: • goods was 3,4%, up from 1,8% in March 2026; and • services was 4,6%, up from 4,2% in March 2026.
