Medical CPI (the medical component of the CPI index) has surpassed CPI(Consumer Price Index) or headline inflation since 1995.

CPI indicates the general level of price increases, i.e., the cost of living increase. Medical CPI reflects the prices that people pay for medical services, medical and pharmaceutical products.

Since wage and salary increases are based on CPI, this graph puts into perspective the view that the cost of healthcare has generally exceeded the cost of living increases.

Medical and Healthcare CPI components
The components of medical and healthcare CPI are weighted every five years and were last weighted in 1995. Statistics South Africa are currently undergoing an exercise, for 2000, to re-evaluate these weights. The current weights are approximately: