2024 Update: What’s Changed Since 2021?

In 2021, we published an analysis of municipal water and electricity tariff increases compared to inflation since 1996.

That analysis revealed a harsh reality: the average price of both water and electricity across South Africa’s four largest municipalities increased about four times faster than inflation.

This was a sad state of affairs in a country where a large part of the population lives in poverty.

So the question is: have things improved—or deteriorated further—since 2021?

To answer this, we updated the analysis with data up to 2024. The result is shown in the graph below.

Note: The graph shows overall average increases for residential consumers. Actual increases differ by customer type (residential, commercial, industrial) and vary between municipalities.

Key Takeaways (1996–2024)

Looking at the updated graph, a few things stand out:

• Both water and electricity tariffs have increased dramatically faster than inflation over the period 1996 to 2024.

• Water tariffs have increased even faster than electricity tariffs, despite electricity price hikes receiving more public attention.

• Over 1996 to 2024, electricity tariffs increased almost 5× faster than inflation, and water tariffs increased almost 6× faster than inflation.

• The unfortunate conclusion: the above-inflation trend has continued over the past three years.

This is happening alongside continued deterioration in municipal water and electricity infrastructure—contributing to more local power failures and water supply disruptions.