Price of school uniforms increased in January, says Stats SA

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said that parents had to dig a little deeper into their pockets in January to cover the higher cost of school uniforms amid an increase in prices.

The Pretoria-based statistics body reported on the latest inflation figures on Wednesday, including a run-down on prices for the beginning of the new school year.

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Stats SA has included school uniform items in the consumer price index (CPI) basket since January 2025.

Chief director for price statistics at Stats SA Patrick Kelly said these items recorded higher inflation rates than the average clothing and footwear print of 1.2%.

“For example, prices for school jerseys rose by 7% compared with January 2025. School skirts or dresses increased by 3.2% and school shoes by 4.1% over the same period.”

But Kelly said not all school supplies reported higher prices.

“Stationery items registered sharp monthly decreases in January, with pens 9.8%, writing books 5% and printing paper 3.5% cheaper than in December 2025. Textbooks decreased by a monthly 1.3%, taking the annual rate for textbooks to -3.3%.”