South Africa

Compared with Nicaragua, using real observed prices.

Baseline: Nicaragua = 1×

South Africa vs

Nicaragua

Overall verdict

South Africa is about 1.03× Nicaragua.

Average across 3 categories, 5 items with data

The shape of prices (vs Nicaragua = 1×)

How to read this

The centre line is Nicaragua. A bar running right means South Africa is pricier; running left means cheaper. The thin bar behind shows the range from the cheapest to the priciest item in that category.

← Cheaper than

Nicaragua Nicaragua = 1×

South Africa is pricier →

⛽ Transport 2 items

×1.29
⚡ Utilities 1 item

×1.19
🍔 Food & Dining 1 item

×0.71

Thin bar shows the range (cheapest to priciest item in the category)

In South Africa, Diesel 1L costs 1.4× what it does in Nicaragua — but Big Mac costs only 0.7×. What is expensive here is energy, not the goods that carry a world price.

Real prices. Real sources. Real dates.

Diesel 1L 1 L ×1.42

South Africa NIO 61.16 USD 1.67

Nicaragua NIO 43.18 USD 1.179

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Electricity 1kWh (household) 1 kWh ×1.19

South Africa NIO 7.65 USD 0.209

Nicaragua NIO 6.45 USD 0.176

Observed 2026-04-01 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Gasoline 1L 1 L ×1.17

South Africa NIO 57.10 USD 1.559

Nicaragua NIO 48.97 USD 1.337

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Big Mac 1 burger ×0.71

South Africa NIO 122.99 ZAR 54.9

Nicaragua NIO 174.00 NIO 174

Observed 2026-01-01 · The Economist Big Mac Index