South Africa’s core consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.8% month-over-month in March 2026, edging higher from the 0.7% increase recorded in February 2026, according to data updated on 22 April 2026. The core CPI measure excludes volatile items and is closely watched as a gauge of underlying inflation pressures in the economy.
The latest reading signals a modest acceleration in price growth compared with the previous month, when the February figure represented a 0.7% change from January 2026. On a month-over-month basis, the March outcome confirms that core inflation pressures remain persistent, with the March increase surpassing the pace seen at the start of the year.
The comparison framework used for the release shows that the “Actual” figure for March reflects the change from February 2026, while the “Previous” figure captures February’s change relative to January 2026. The upward move from 0.7% to 0.8% may influence expectations around the inflation trajectory and policy discussions, as investors and policymakers monitor whether core price gains continue to firm in the coming months.