(JUBA) – Prices of goods and services in South Sudan rose again in May 2025, according to a new report by the National Bureau of Statistics. The country’s monthly inflation rate, which shows how fast prices are rising, stood at 2.3% in May, up slightly from 2.12% in April. This means that, on average, what cost 100 South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) in April now costs 102.30 SSP in May.
The increase in prices was mainly caused by higher costs for transport, alcoholic drinks, recreational activities, clothing and communication services.
What Is Inflation and Why Does It Matter?
Inflation means the increase in the prices of things people buy, such as food, clothes, rent and transport. It matters because when prices go up, people can buy less with the same amount of money. For example, if transport fares increase, families may spend more money just to move around, leaving less money for food or school fees.
Main Reasons for Price Increase in May 2025
According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which tracks the cost of living across South Sudan, prices went up for:
| Category | % Increase in May |
|---|---|
| Transport (e.g. boda boda fares, fuel) | +10.84% |
| Alcoholic beverages & tobacco | +5.06% |
| Recreation and culture (e.g. leisure, sports) | +3.45% |
| Clothing, information & communication | +3.33% |
At the same time, some prices went down:
| Category | % Decrease in May |
|---|---|
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | -1.96% |
| Health care | -0.46% |
| Personal care and other goods | -1.55% |
So, while food became slightly cheaper, other everyday expenses became more costly, especially travel and alcohol.
What Do These Numbers Mean for People in South Sudan?
The monthly CPI index increased from 185.11 in April to 189.24 in May, using August 2024 as the base year. This change shows that the overall cost of living is going up, making life harder for ordinary families already struggling with economic challenges.
To explain it in money terms:
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If your monthly household expenses were 465,000 SSP (about $100) in April, you would now need about 475,695 SSP (about $102.30) in May to buy the same things.
Which States Were Most Affected by Inflation?
Inflation did not affect all parts of South Sudan equally. Some states saw much faster price increases than others.
| State | Inflation Rate in May 2025 (%) | Key Reason(s) for Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Wau | 6.67% | Sharp increase in food and household items |
| Rumbek | 5.67% | Rise in food and alcohol costs |
| Yambio | 4.73% | Moderate rise in food and household spending |
| Unity | 4.00% | Increase in food related items |
| Torit | 3.15% | Rising prices across several basic items |
| Juba | 0.61% | The lowest inflation rate; some costs dropped |
For example, Wau saw a big jump in household costs, especially for furniture and routine items, which increased by 23.2%. In contrast, in Juba, prices remained fairly stable. Some prices even went down, such as furniture (-26.9%) and transport (-3.4%).
Summary Table: Inflation by State in May 2025
| State | April Inflation (%) | May Inflation (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Wau | 0.02 | 6.67 |
| Rumbek | 0.00 | 5.67 |
| Yambio | 0.81 | 4.73 |
| Unity | 1.69 | 4.00 |
| Torit | 0.01 | 3.15 |
| Kuajok | 1.26 | 2.82 |
| Jonglei | 0.01 | 2.45 |
| Upper Nile | 0.06 | 1.98 |
| Aweil | 0.02 | 1.92 |
| Juba | 0.01 | 0.61 |
What Is the CPI and How Is It Calculated?
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a tool used to measure inflation. It tracks the price of a “basket” of 104 goods and services that people usually buy, like food, clothing, transport, education and health. The current basket is based on household spending patterns gathered during the 2021/22 survey by the World Bank.
Prices are collected every month from all 10 state capitals, and then analysed using international standards from the United Nations Classification of Consumption (UN COICOP 2018).
The index uses a base month of August 2024 (Index = 100). So, if the CPI is now at 189.24, that means prices have increased by 89.24% since August 2024.
Cost of Living Still Rising
Although food prices went down slightly in May, the overall rise in costs for transport, alcohol and household goods continues to make life expensive for many families in South Sudan. With inflation at 2.3%, people may need to spend more each month just to maintain the same standard of living.
The public is advised to monitor their spending, especially on non essential goods, and consider budgeting carefully during this period of rising costs.
For further questions about how inflation is measured or what it means for your household or business, the National Bureau of Statistics can be contacted directly.
