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What a rand was worth

Pick an amount and a year and see what it's worth in today's rands — and how much buying power inflation quietly erased.

What a rand was worth
SA headline CPI (Stats SA)
R
Worth today
R2 150
R1 000 from 2010
Prices rose
×2.15
since 2010
Rand lost
53%
of its value
R1 000 in 2010 has the same buying power as R2 150 today.
The idea

Inflation, made tangible

Inflation figures are abstract; the price of everyday things is not. By running the CPI backwards, this tool shows what a rand from years ago is worth now — and why "things used to be cheaper" isn't just nostalgia, it's measurable.

It's also a reality check on savings: cash slowly loses purchasing power, which is why long-term savers look to investments that outpace inflation.

FAQ

What you're probably wondering

It uses the headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) from Statistics South Africa, comparing the year you pick against today.
It's how much your money can actually buy. R1,000 in 2010 bought more than R1,000 today — the tool shows the equivalent in today's rands.
Yes. It's a great way to check whether a salary or budget has kept up with inflation between two points in time.
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