79% of South African Consumers Say Household Income Negatively Impacted by COVID-19

Loading player...
TransUnion research findings on the impact of COVID-19 on South African consumers;

·Eight in 10 (79%) said their household income has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

·An additional 7% of South African adults said they expect that their household income will suffer in the future.

·46% report that they will not be able to pay their utilities (electricity, water, etc.),

o42% will not be able to make their rent repayment,

o39% report that they will not be able to pay their cell phone bill, and

on average, respondents said they will be short about R7,000 soon.

·Approximately (32%) of those impacted said their work hours were reduced and one in ten (10%) lost their job.

·89% of consumers who have had their household income impacted by COVID-19 are concerned about paying their bills. The strain is even more pronounced for Millennials (92%) and Gen X (95%).

·One in ten (10%) of impacted respondents have already lost their job as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic;

o12% for the Western Cape,

o11% for the North West,

o10% for Kwa-Zulu Natal, and

o10% for Gauteng.

· In response to the financial challenges caused by COVID-19,

o29% of South African consumers said they planned to use their savings to pay current bills,

o22% said they would borrow money from a friend or family member,

o27% do not know how they are going to pay their bills or loans, and

o33% will only pay a partial amount that they can afford.

·Two in five (40%) people financially impacted by the pandemic said they had already reached out to companies they have accounts with to discuss payment options.
20 Apr 2020 7AM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

It’s My House: SA’s Property Boom: Risks, Reality & Buyer Protection

Cyn Mac Properties’ Matome Machaba unpacks South Africa’s booming property market from first‑time buyer surges and semigration trends to rising fraud, hijacked buildings and affordability pressures. He explains the need for a national fraud registry, the impact of the PIE Amendment Bill, and the practical steps buyers must take to…
27 Aug 1PM 13 min

IDC Swings to a FY Loss of R4.6bln on Subsidiary Pressure

The Industrial Development Corporation released its 2026 financial results, showing R17 billion disbursed, R28 billion mobilised in co‑funding, and R2.3 billion in Company-level profit, despite a challenging industrial environment marked by weak fixed investment, global trade uncertainty, and pressure on export-oriented sectors. There remains pressure at headline level as it…
27 Aug 1PM 13 min

Clicks Taps Into South Africa’s Township Economy

Clicks CEO Bertina Engelbrecht breaks down the launch of KwaMakhi a new township‑focused retail format designed for high‑density, lower‑income communities. She explains why Clicks is expanding beyond traditional malls, how KwaMakhi differs from standard stores, and what this means for healthcare access in areas like Alexandra, Soweto, Tembisa and Khayelitsha.
27 Aug 12PM 10 min

Grindrod’s Record Volumes & Rail Future: CEO Kwazi Mabaso on H1 2026

Grindrod CEO Kwazi Mabaso unpacks the Group’s strong interim performance — including record 8.4 million tonnes at the Port of Maputo, a 52% surge in EBITDA, and resilient drybulk throughput across SA terminals. We explore safety improvements, logistics challenges, locomotive redeployment, and major strategic projects like the Matola expansion and…
27 Aug 12PM 14 min

Real Salaries Lift — But Households Still Under Pressure

July brought rare relief as nominal net salaries edged up to R21,642 and real salaries improved for the first time in nine months. But with year‑to‑date salary growth at just 1.6% and real earnings still 2.2% below last year, households remain stretched. Elize Kruger breaks down wage trends, inflation dynamics,…
26 Aug 1PM 10 min