Inflation is expected to rise to 4.5 % in 2021 due to pressures from food and energy prices, the National Treasury said on Thursday.
Tabling the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in the National Assembly on Thurday, the department said, however, that inflation is expected to remain contained over a three-year period.
Inflation refers to an increase in the general level of prices.
“Inflation is projected to reach 4.5 % in 2021, reflecting upward pressure from non-core inflation – specifically food and energy prices – while core inflation remains subdued.
“Beyond 2021, inflation is expected to remain well contained within the target range, approaching 4.5 % in the outer years. Risks to the inflation outlook are primarily in the near term and assessed to the upside, mainly stemming from non-core inflation.”
Household consumption expected to grow
Following a Coronavirus-induced decline in 2020, the National Treasury said household consumption is expected to grow by 5.7 % in 2021.
“It is supported by improved earnings and growing credit extension, which is linked to low interest rates. Nonetheless, the value of household consumption remains 1.4 % below pre-pandemic levels, weighed down by lower spending on semidurable goods such as clothing.”
National Treasury said the COVID-19 lockdowns disproportionately affected lower-income households.
“While 94 % of workers with graduate qualifications reported receiving their full salaries in the second quarter of 2021, only 86 % of workers with matric or less reported receiving the same.
“More than three-quarters of post-pandemic job losses have been in lower-earning positions.
“Furthermore, fewer than 8 % of employees in these positions were able to work from home during lockdown periods.”
National Treasury said the easing of lockdown restrictions and the reinstatement of the special COVID-19 social relief of distress grant until March 2022 will support spending for lower-income households in particular through the rest of 2021.
“Over the [next three years], persistently high unemployment will continue to weigh on the recovery. Renewed restrictions in response to additional waves of COVID-19 infections would pose a significant downside risk to household incomes and spending.”
Source: South African Government News Agency