JOHANNESBURG - South African households are facing mounting pressure as the cost of essential services and transport continues to rise faster than inflation.
The latest Competition Commission Cost of Living Report shows electricity prices increased by 8.1 percent in the year to July, almost double the country’s overall inflation rate of 4.3 percent.
Water tariffs have climbed even faster, rising by 10.1 percent over the same period.
And the pressure is not limited to household utility bills.
Petrol prices jumped between January and July 2026, as the war in the Middle East pushed global oil prices higher.
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The Competition Commission says rising fuel and transport costs are feeding through into the prices of basic goods and services.
That means households could feel the impact well beyond the petrol station, with higher transport and distribution costs potentially making everyday essentials more expensive.
The latest price pressures could also complicate the outlook for interest rates.
The South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee is due to meet on 23 September, with inflation and the broader cost-of-living picture likely to remain important considerations.
For households already battling higher electricity, water and transport costs, any further pressure on interest rates could make it even harder to manage monthly budgets.
Government has also called on Eskom to explore ways to make electricity more affordable.
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