Younger, female, middle-income: financial stress hitting these groups hardest
A new survey by DebtBusters reveals that 72% of South African consumers are experiencing significant financial stress, with younger, female, and middle-income earners being the most affected. The report notes a rise in home-life stress and debt-related anxiety compared to previous years.
Why it matters
The data provides insight into the deteriorating financial health of South African households, which has broader implications for the national economy.
Financial stress is tightening its grip on South African consumers, with 72% reporting money-related anxiety as they grapple with escalating living costs, mounting debt repayments and fears of running out of money before month-end.
Home-life stress has climbed to a five-year high, highlighting the hidden emotional toll that financial strain is taking on households, according to the latest money stress tracker published by debt counselling firm DebtBusters on Tuesday.
The annual survey, which is now in its fifth year, is one of the country’s largest assessments of how financial stress affects people’s lives and health.
More than half of the 18,000 respondents for 2026 said they spent more than 40% of their take-home pay on debt repayments, with younger consumers, women and middle-income earners facing the greatest pressure.
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