Zimbabwe Inflation Tracker
Zimbabwe inflation. Monthly.
Zimbabwe Inflation Tracker presents official Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from ZIMSTAT (Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency) in a clear, accessible format. We update each month when ZIMSTAT publishes new figures.
What is the CPI?
The Consumer Price Index measures the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a representative basket of goods and services. ZIMSTAT surveys prices across food, housing, transport, health, education, clothing, and other categories every month.
The annual inflation rate is the percentage change in the CPI compared to the same month in the previous year. A rate of 6% means a basket of goods that cost $100 last year now costs $106.
Why Zimbabwe has dual-currency inflation data
The blended CPI explained
Zimbabwe operates a dual-currency economy. The Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG) is the official local currency, introduced in 2024. However, a substantial share of retail transactions occur in US dollars. ZIMSTAT publishes a blended CPI that weights prices in both currencies according to their share of consumer spending. This site tracks both the blended figure and the USD-only sub-index.
The USD-denominated inflation rate is typically lower than the blended rate, because the US dollar is more stable. ZWG-denominated prices tend to rise faster, reflecting currency depreciation and local monetary conditions. The blended figure — the headline number on this tracker — reflects the weighted average experience of Zimbabwean consumers.
ZIMSTAT methodology
ZIMSTAT uses the Laspeyres price index formula. Weights are assigned to each basket component based on a Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES). The current weights are derived from the 2017/2018 HIES. ZIMSTAT is a member of the African Statistics Harmonisation Programme and aligns its methodology with IMF standards.
Key features of Zimbabwe's CPI methodology:
- Urban consumer focus — primarily Harare and Bulawayo price surveys
- Monthly data release, typically in the third week of the following month
- Separate indices for food and non-alcoholic beverages, housing, transport, health, education, and more
- Both USD and ZWG prices collected and reported separately
Basket weights
| Component | Weight (%) |
|---|---|
| Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages | 32% |
| Housing & Utilities | 18% |
| Transport | 14% |
| Education | 8% |
| Health | 7% |
| Clothing & Footwear | 6% |
| Communication | 5% |
| Other | 10% |
Weights are approximate, based on ZIMSTAT 2017/18 HIES. Verify current weights at zimstat.co.zw.
Data source
All figures are sourced from official ZIMSTAT press releases and statistical bulletins. We update this tracker within 48 hours of each monthly ZIMSTAT CPI release.
- zimstat.co.zw — Official ZIMSTAT website
About this site
Zimbabwe Inflation Tracker is an independent publication. We are not affiliated with ZIMSTAT or the Government of Zimbabwe. All data is provided for informational purposes only.
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Contact
Data corrections or suggestions: hello@ziminflation.co.zw.