United Kingdom

Compared with South Africa, using real observed prices.

Baseline: South Africa = 1×

United Kingdom vs

South Africa

Overall verdict

United Kingdom is about 1.66× South Africa.

Average across 4 categories, 7 items with data

The shape of prices (vs South Africa = 1×)

How to read this

The centre line is South Africa. A bar running right means United Kingdom 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

South Africa South Africa = 1×

United Kingdom is pricier →

🍔 Food & Dining 1 item

×2.11
⚡ Utilities 1 item

×1.92
🎟 Leisure 1 item

×1.40
⛽ Transport 2 items

×1.32

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

In United Kingdom, Big Mac costs 2.1× what it does in South Africa — but Gasoline 1L costs only 1.3×. What is expensive here is labour, not the goods that carry a world price.

Real prices. Real sources. Real dates.

Big Mac 1 burger ×2.11

United Kingdom ZAR 115.76 GBP 5.29

South Africa ZAR 54.90 ZAR 54.9

Observed 2026-01-01 · The Economist Big Mac Index
Electricity 1kWh (household) 1 kWh ×1.92

United Kingdom ZAR 6.75 USD 0.402

South Africa ZAR 3.51 USD 0.209

Observed 2026-04-01 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
PC game (Cyberpunk 2077) 1 game ×1.40

United Kingdom ZAR 1,120 GBP 49.99

South Africa ZAR 799.00 ZAR 799

Observed 2026-07-27 · Steam Store
Diesel 1L 1 L ×1.34

United Kingdom ZAR 36.73 USD 2.235

South Africa ZAR 27.44 USD 1.67

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Gasoline 1L 1 L ×1.31

United Kingdom ZAR 33.48 USD 2.037

South Africa ZAR 25.62 USD 1.559

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com