Hanke Inflation Dashboard Highlights Dire Inflation Crises in Five Nations

Economist Steve Hanke’s latest Hanke Inflation Dashboard reveals staggering annual inflation rates in South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Venezuela, and Myanmar, sparking urgent calls for economic reform as citizens grapple with skyrocketing prices and currency instability.

Baltimore, USA – March 5, 2025 – A stark warning about global economic instability has emerged from economist Steve Hanke’s Hanke Inflation Dashboard, which on February 17, 2025, identified five nations grappling with some of the world’s highest inflation rates. South Sudan leads the list with a staggering 344% annual inflation rate, followed closely by Zimbabwe at 300%, Sudan at 133%, Venezuela at 103%, and Myanmar at 67%. The findings, shared via X, have reignited concerns about the devastating impact of hyperinflation on these countries’ populations and economies, prompting urgent calls for intervention.
Hanke, a professor at Johns Hopkins University and a leading authority on monetary policy, uses purchasing power parity (PPP) and black-market exchange rate data to measure inflation, offering a clearer picture than official statistics often obscured by government manipulation. His dashboard, updated weekly, has become a critical tool for economists and policymakers tracking financial turmoil worldwide. The February 17 report underscores a dire reality: these nations are in the grip of economic crises that erode savings, destabilize currencies, and drive up the cost of essentials like food and fuel.

In South Sudan, where civil war and oil dependency have long plagued the economy, the 344% inflation rate translates to prices doubling every few months. Residents like Juba shopkeeper Mary Achol describe a daily struggle. “I can’t keep up—my profits are gone before I can restock,” she said. The country’s reliance on imports, compounded by a devalued pound and corruption, has left millions teetering on the edge of starvation, with humanitarian agencies warning of an impending crisis.

Zimbabwe, ranked second with 300% inflation, is no stranger to hyperinflation, having endured a similar meltdown in the late 2000s that rendered its currency worthless. Despite adopting the U.S. dollar and, more recently, a gold-backed digital currency, the nation faces renewed turmoil due to drought, sanctions, and mismanagement. Harare resident Tendai Ncube, a teacher, said, “My salary buys less every week. I’m selling my furniture just to eat.”

Sudan’s 133% inflation rate reflects the chaos following years of conflict, political upheaval, and the secession of South Sudan, which stripped the country of oil revenues. Khartoum’s markets are awash with price hikes, with bread and fuel becoming luxuries for many. “We’re surviving, not living,” said trader Ahmed Ismail, pointing to the Sudanese pound’s collapse against the U.S. dollar.

Venezuela, with 103% inflation, continues to reel from a decade-long economic collapse fueled by oil price drops, mismanagement, and U.S. sanctions. Caracas resident Maria Gonzalez described the reality: “My pension can’t cover a week’s groceries. We’re bartering just to survive.” Despite some recovery efforts, the bolívar remains volatile, and shortages persist.

Myanmar, rounding out the list at 67%, is grappling with inflation driven by civil conflict, international isolation, and the lingering effects of the 2021 coup. Yangon shop owner Aung Myint said, “Prices change daily—customers can’t plan, and neither can I.” The kyat’s depreciation has hit rural areas hardest, where food insecurity is rising.

Hanke’s data, calculated using PPP from free and black-market exchange rates, highlights the inadequacy of official figures in these countries, where governments often underreport inflation to mask economic failure. “These numbers aren’t just statistics—they’re a cry for help,” Hanke said in a follow-up statement. “Without sound monetary policies and political stability, these nations risk total economic collapse.”

The dashboard has spurred varied responses. In South Sudan and Zimbabwe, opposition leaders have seized on the data to demand reforms, while international organizations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have urged targeted interventions, including currency stabilization and anti-corruption measures. In Venezuela, the government dismissed Hanke’s findings as “biased,” though economists argue the reality on the ground corroborates his analysis.

For citizens, the Hanke Inflation Dashboard serves as both a warning and a wake-up call. As prices spiral, families face impossible choices—skipping meals, pulling children from school, or migrating in search of stability. “We need solutions, not more reports,” said Khartoum activist Fatima Ali. “But at least this shows the world what we’re enduring.”

As of March 2025, the path forward remains uncertain, but Hanke’s dashboard continues to shine a light on a crisis that demands global attention. For South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Venezuela, and Myanmar, the stakes couldn’t be higher—stabilizing their economies may be the only way to save their people from the ravages of runaway inflation.