Inflation expectations are easing in SA, Middle East tensions likely to impact the picture temporarily

Economists, financial analysts, business leaders and trade union officials all expect inflation to continue moderating in the long term. The different professional groups are also largely aligned on wage increase expectations for 2026 and 2027. Economist Nicholas van der Wath from the Bureau of Economic Research unpacks the findings of their Inflations Expectations Survey and touches on how tensions in the Middle East could temporarily complicate the outlook moving forward.