South Africa's Financial Stress Trends and Key Concerns Revealed in DebtBusters Survey
Financial concerns among South Africans have decreased, yet ongoing pressures remain prevalent.
In the latest DebtBusters Money-Stress Tracker survey, several trends and key concerns related to money stress in South Africa have been highlighted. Here's a closer look at the current trends and key concerns uncovered in the survey.
Current Trends
A slight decrease in financial stress levels has been observed compared to previous years. In 2025, 70% of respondents reported experiencing money stress, a decrease from 78% in 2023 and 75% in 2024. This decline brings stress levels back to those seen in 2022.
Despite the ongoing financial pressures, there are signs that consumers are becoming desensitized to high debt levels. Many view debt as a normal part of life, contributing to widespread financial anxiety. However, people report feeling more in control and optimistic about managing their finances, a shift attributed to fewer national crises and improved financial management strategies.
Key Concerns
One of the most significant concerns is the high level of debt among South African households. Nearly half (48%) of households spend over 40% of their disposable income on debt, which is considered unsustainable. Furthermore, 63% of households are in the "danger zone" where debt repayments range from 30% to 40% of their take-home pay.
Financial stress has a substantial impact on daily life, with 91% of stressed respondents reporting it affects their home life, 73% their work life, and 73% their health.
Gender disparities also emerge as a key concern, with women experiencing disproportionately higher levels of financial stress. Nearly three out of four female respondents reported stress, about 10% more than men, and the impact on work life, home life, and health is also more pronounced.
Additional Concerns
The top financial worries include running out of money before the end of the month and struggling to pay monthly debt. Regional variations in financial stress levels have also been observed, with the Western Cape currently being more concerned about finances than other provinces, surpassing Gauteng in 2024.
Seeking higher-paying or better jobs is a growing trend, with 35% of consumers exploring these options to make ends meet. Younger consumers are more proactive about sticking to budgets and are almost four times more likely to seek better employment to manage money stress.
Lower-income groups are the most concerned about the impact of interest rate increases or unexpected expenses. Respondents are shifting towards entrepreneurial efforts, multiple income streams, and financial independence as coping mechanisms. Those earning over R20,000 a month also face considerable pressure to repay debt.
Despite the reduction in overall stress, over 90% of South Africans with unsustainable debt do not proactively seek professional support such as debt counselling. The top two concerns for people feeling financially stressed continue to be running out of money before the end of the month and struggling to pay off monthly debt.
In conclusion, while there has been a slight decrease in financial stress levels in South Africa, high debt levels and gender disparities remain key concerns. The survey underscores the need for continued efforts to improve financial management strategies and to address the unique challenges faced by women in managing their finances.
In the realm of personal-finance concerns, a high level of debt is a significant issue for South African households, with nearly half (48%) spending over 40% of their disposable income on it. Diving deeper into personal-finance matters, running out of money before the end of the month and struggling to pay off monthly debt are the top two concerns for people experiencing financial stress.
As for business opportunities, the survey suggests that financially stressed consumers are increasingly seeking higher-paying or better jobs to cope with their money problems, and this trend is particularly prominent among younger consumers. Additionally, respondents from lower-income groups are turning towards entrepreneurial efforts, multiple income streams, and financial independence as means to deal with potential interest rate increases or unexpected expenses.
