Windhoek residents pay more for goods, services

People living in Windhoek are paying more for goods and services compared to other parts of the country.

In Windhoek, inflation for the month of September was between 1.2 percentage points and 1.5 percentage points higher than the other regional zones.

Inflation is the increase in the prices of goods and services.

According to the Namibian Statistics Agency Consumer Price Index released yesterday, inflation in Windhoek was 4.3%.

Windhoek was followed by Zone 3 (which includes the //Kharas, Erongo, Hardap and Omaheke regions) at 3.1% and Zone 1 (which includes the Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, and Zambezi regions) at a rate of 2.8%.

Statistician general Alex Shimuafeni says, overall, the country recorded an inflation rate of 3.4%.

“On a monthly basis, the inflation rate witnessed a decline of 0.2% compared to an increase of 0.3% recorded a month ago,” says Shimuafeni.

Fresh tomatoes in Windhoek cost N$37.29, about N$4 more when compared to Zone 1.

Consumers in Zone 3 paid N$36.21 while consumers in Zone 1 paid the lowest price of N$34.09.

The report also showed that consumers in Zone 3 paid the highest price for beef stew per kg at N$96.71, followed by Zone 2 (Windhoek) consumers at N$94.99, while consumers in Zone 1 paid the lowest price of N$90.99.

Alcohol experienced a 3.7% increase in prices compared to 8.5% observed in September 2023.

According to the report, the slowdown in inflation was due to a slow increase in the price of white spirits, sparkling wines/champagnes, and beer/ales/ciders.

Additionally, the transport category, which accounts for 14.3% of the consumer basket, had an annual inflation rate of 1.2%.

“The slow increase in the annual inflation rate for this component was solely reflected in the subcomponent of purchase of vehicles,” says the report.

Public transportation services increased by 1%.