FX.co ★ South Africa’s Core CPI Eases to 0.5% in April, Signalling Softer Price Pressures

South Africa’s core consumer price inflation slowed on a month-over-month basis in April 2026, with the index rising 0.5% compared with a 0.8% increase in March 2026. The latest data, updated on 20 May 2026, indicate a moderation in underlying price pressures as measured by the core CPI, which excludes more volatile components of the inflation basket.

The April reading shows that price growth is still positive but has decelerated from the previous month, when core CPI had advanced more sharply. In the context of the comparison period, the current figure reflects the change from March to April, while the prior 0.8% represented the change from February to March. This month-over-month cooling may be watched closely by analysts and policymakers for signals on the trajectory of underlying inflation dynamics in South Africa.