The annual inflation rate in Botswana rose to 2.8 percent in June 2019 from 2.6 percent in the previous month. Prices went up further for food & non-alcoholic beverages (1.3 percent vs 1 percent in May); furnishings & household equipment (2.1 percent vs 1.6 percent); and health (1.2 percent vs 1 percent). Also, cost of recreation & culture rose (0.2 percent vs a flat reading) and prices of communication declined less (-0.1 percent vs -9.3 percent). On the other hand, cost slowed for transport (6 percent vs 7.7 percent); and restaurants & hotels (2.3 percent vs 2.5 percent). In addition, inflation was steady for housing & utilities (at 1.7 percent, the same as in May); miscellaneous goods & services (at 4.8 percent); clothing & footwear (at 1.1 percent); and education (at 3.2 percent). On a monthly basis, consumer prices advanced 0.2 percent, the same pace as in May. Inflation Rate in Botswana averaged 7.01 percent from 1997 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 15.06 percent in November of 2008 and a record low of 2.50 percent in April of 2019.
Inflation Rate in Botswana is expected to be 3.30 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate Inflation Rate in Botswana to stand at 3.60 in 12 months time. In the long-term, the Botswana Inflation Rate is projected to trend around 3.80 percent in 2020, according to our econometric models.