South Africa’s cost of living continued its upward trend in March 2026, with annual inflation rising to 3.1%, according to data released by Statistics South Africa. This marks a slight increase from February’s 3.0%, while prices rose by 0.6% month-on-month, signalling persistent pressure on consumers.
The increase was driven by higher prices across several key sectors, with six of the 13 categories in the consumer price index (CPI) basket recording notable annual increases. These include housing and utilities, transport, education, and restaurants and accommodation, highlighting the broad-based nature of the cost pressures facing households.
Education emerged as a major contributor to the uptick, with tuition fees rising by 5.4% in 2026—higher than the 4.5% increase recorded the previous year. Primary and secondary education costs rose sharply by 6.2%, while tertiary education increased by 4.2%. Private secondary schools saw the steepest hikes, with fees climbing by 7.5%.
“The cost of living rose by 3.1% in the 12 months to March, slightly up from 3.0% recorded in February, while prices increased on average by 0.6% in March 2026 compared with February 2026.”
Meanwhile, transport inflation, although still in deflationary territory, showed signs of recovery. The annual rate improved from -2.1% in February to -1.6% in March, largely due to declining fuel prices over the past year. However, passenger transport costs rose modestly, driven by increases in long-distance bus fares and air travel.
The latest figures reflect data collected before fuel price hikes introduced in April, suggesting that further inflationary pressure may be on the horizon when the next CPI data is released.
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