62% of South Africans say their spending equals or exceeds their income – NedFinHealth

Loading player...
GUEST – Dr. Frank Magwegwe, Executive for Financial Wellness and Advisory at Nedbank.

The Monitor found that South Africa’s Financial Health score is currently at 53, slightly hovering above the midpoint of financial health. This suggests that, while there is a good foundation for financial health, there remains a significant portion of the population that could benefit from enhanced financial skills, behaviours, and habits.

62% of South Africans say their spending equals or exceeds their income. This is influenced by two main factors being income declining for 35% of the respondents and expenses increasing for 76% of the survey participants in the past 12 months.

The NedFinHealth Monitor also found that 69% of South Africans cannot pay all their bills on time. 33% of South Africans who are homeowners have been late with their home loan repayments in the past 12 months and individuals experiencing financial stress struggle the most to keep up with their bill payments. Furthermore, South Africans do not have sufficient savings for emergencies.

51% of South Africans say they do not have enough savings to cover their living expenses for at least 3 months. Glaringly, only 14% of South Africans are moderately confident, while only 11% are very confident that they are on track to meet their long-term financial goals. A significant percentage of South African are struggling to keep up with their debt obligations. 42% of South Africans, across various income levels, say they cannot manage their debt while only 16% of South Africans say they have no debt
17 Oct 2023 1PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Mine 2026: The New Battleground for Global Mining

PwC’s Mine 2026 report shows miners posting record profits — yet facing unprecedented structural pressures. Energy Utilities and Resource Assurance Partner Vuyiswa Khutlang breaks down the three imperatives reshaping mining: policy stability, capital mobilisation, and technology‑driven productivity. We explore copper’s surge, coal’s decline, selective M&A, and why geology alone no…
29 Jun 2PM 16 min

How Middle East Shocks Hit Africa’s Politics & Economy

The Middle East ceasefire may hold — or unravel. Either way, Africa is already feeling the tremors. Political analyst Jervin Naidoo maps how geopolitical shocks strain fiscal balances, fuel inflation, election stability, capital flows and sovereign risk premiums across the continent. A deep dive into Africa’s political vulnerability and the…
29 Jun 2PM 18 min

R316 Million for Impact: How E Squared Is Rewiring Entrepreneurship

E Squared’s 2025 Impact Report showcases a powerful model of patient capital, responsible entrepreneurship and transformation-driven investing. CEO Gladwyn Leeuw explains the shift to “lives meaningfully improved", the pipeline‑to‑scale approach, backing Black and female founders, and building businesses that endure — all while delivering commercial and social returns.
29 Jun 2PM 14 min

Inside Siyakhokha: How Ekurhuleni Is Modernising Municipal Payments

Ekurhuleni’s finances — and its ability to deliver reliable services — depend on a strong partnership with residents. MMC for Finance Alderman Jongizizwe Dlabathi explains how the City’s Siyakhokha platform is transforming municipal payments through convenience, security and digital efficiency. From registering online to logging queries and making payment arrangements,…
25 Jun 1PM 15 min

African Bank sees R624mn half-year loss, Capital ratio 25.8% keeps ops standing

African Bank has entered a new chapter shifting from years of acquisitive expansion to a disciplined phase of consolidation. Interim Group CEO Zweli Manyathi breaks down the R624m loss, the credit environment, cost‑to‑income pressures, and the bank’s strategy to unlock value from its diversified platform.
25 Jun 1PM 21 min