SA inflation edges higher in March as education, transport costs rise

South Africa annual inflation rate ticked up to 3.1% in March from 3.0% in February, driven by rising costs in education, transport, and housing, data from the latest consumer price index (CPI) released by statistics  South Africa (Stats SA) showed on Wednesday. Month-on-month, prices rose 0.6%.

Education costs surged 5.4% in March, up from a 4.5% increase in 2025, as tuition fees climbed.

Primary and secondary education jumped 6.2%, compared with 5.0% last year, while tertiary education rose 4.2%, up from 3.7%.

Private secondary schools saw the steepest rise, with fees increasing 7.5%.

Transport prices remained in deflationary territory on an annual basis, falling 1.6% in March compared to a 2.1% decline in February, largely due to an 8.7% drop in fuel prices over the past year.

However, passenger transport fares rose 0.7% annually, with a 20% monthly spike in long-distance bus fares and a 14.3% rise in airfares.

The data does not reflect the sharp fuel price hikes implemented on April 1, which will be included in the May CPI release.

Food and non-alcoholic beverage inflation eased for a second month, slowing to 3.6% in March from 3.7% in February and 4.4% in January. Four of the 11 food categories, including fruits, vegetables, cereal products, and dairy, recorded price declines.

Milk, dairy, and eggs saw a 0.5% drop, with fresh full-cream milk prices falling for the 13th consecutive month.

Cereal products were 1% cheaper on average, with items like white rice and maize meal seeing significant price drops.

Meat prices fell for the second straight month, with stewing beef down 4.2% and steak dropping 2%.

However, pork prices rose 19.5% annually, up from 17.3% in February, while bacon inflation climbed to 4.2% from 2.2%.

Housing rents increased by 4% in the first quarter of 2026, up from 3.7% in the previous quarter.

Rents for townhouses rose 5.1%, while flats and houses saw increases of 4.2% and 3.7%, respectively.

Domestic worker wages grew 3.7% in the first quarter, slightly below the 3.8% rise in the previous quarter.

Accommodation services prices surged 5.4% in March, pushing the annual rate to 12.2%.

University boarding fees increased by 7.2%, while hotel rates climbed 6% during the month.

The moderate rise in inflation comes as South Africa continues to grapple with economic challenges, with higher fuel prices expected to put further pressure on the cost of living in the coming months.

The next CPI release, covering April, is due on May 20.