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 4PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Manufacturing Slips: June Absa PMI Signals Q2 Strain

Absa Economist Sello Sekele unpacks June’s PMI decline from 50.8 to 47.3, the impact of easing Middle East tensions on fuel prices, the sharp drop in purchasing price pressures, weakening demand as buyers delay purchases, and why employment and inventories point to continued strain in South Africa’s manufacturing sector.
2 Jul 1PM 12 min

Tax Season Scams: AI Fraud, WhatsApp Spoofing & Digital Red Flags

Cybercriminals are exploiting tax‑season anxiety with AI‑generated phishing emails, cloned SARS websites, WhatsApp spoofing and payroll‑related scams. Lucas Molefe explains why 2026 is a high‑risk year, how scammers mimic official communication, and the digital hygiene habits that protect your identity and refund. Essential listening for every taxpayer.
2 Jul 1PM 9 min

Tax Season 2026: Must-Knows with Commissioner Dr. Johnstone Makhubu

SARS Commissioner Dr. Johnstone Makhubu unpacks the 2026 Filing Season, from the phased rollout and enhanced risk engine to the rise of auto‑assessments. He explains how taxpayers should interpret assessments, and navigate a more targeted audit environment. A clear, practical guide to filing smarter this year.
2 Jul 12PM 17 min

The Second Bond: The Hidden Costs Homebuyers Miss

Jonathan Kohler exposes the “second bond” — the monthly bill homeowners face before paying their actual home loan. From R4,000–R7,000 in Johannesburg and Cape Town to over R11,500 in Umhlanga, we unpack levies, utilities, maintenance, special levies and municipal tariffs that determine true affordability. A must‑listen for buyers, investors and…
1 Jul 1PM 27 min

SA New Vehicle Sales post strongest June result since 2007

South Africa’s new vehicle market delivered a standout June performance despite inflation, fuel price spikes and weaker consumer confidence. Dr Paulina Mamogobo, Chief Economist at NAAMSA, breaks down the domestic resilience, export pressures, shifting macroeconomic signals, and what these trends mean for the industry heading into the second half of…
1 Jul 12PM 20 min