South Africa's headline consumer inflation rose less than expected in December, to 3.0% year on year from 2.9% in November, data from the statistics agency showed on Wednesday. In month-on-month terms inflation was at 0.

The Consumer Price Index rose 2.9 percent from a year earlier, but a measure of underlying inflation was more encouraging.

The Labor Department released the inflation report for December, which showed prices were up 2.9% from a year ago, in line with economists expectations and up from 2.7% in November.

The cost of living rose more in December than the month before, as rising energy costs hurt household budgets and stoked inflation. However, "core" prices were cooler, providing some hope for lower inflation in the coming months.

South Africa's inflation rate rose for the second month in a row in December but by less than expected, with analysts saying the central bank was still likely to deliver another interest rate cut next week.