Global inflation rose from 3.2 percent in 2017 to 3.8 percent in 2018, mainly due to the increase in international oil prices during most of 2018, which, however, was moderated by the decrease in international food prices.
In particular, inflation was subdued 8  in the Special Drawing Rights (SDR) countries, easing slightly from 1.8 percent in December 2017 to 1.7 percent in December 2018. Inflation in South Africa also decreased from 4.7 percent in December 2017 to 4.5 percent in December 2018.