Tasleem Gierdien31 July 2025 | 4:22

Western Cape overtakes Gauteng as South Africa's most financially stressed province - DebtBusters

DebtBusters' latest survey indicates that 70% of South Africans are experiencing financial stress.

Western Cape overtakes Gauteng as South Africa's most financially stressed province - DebtBusters

Picture: Pexels

DebtBusters has just released its Money-Stress Tracker survey.

While a significant proportion of South Africans are under stress about their financial situation, there has been a noticeable drop in numbers.

This is according to the fourth annual DebtBusters Money-Stress Tracker, which surveyed over 27,000 respondents during May and June.

The recent survey found that South Africans are feeling less worried about money than they have been for the past two years, with financial stress returning to levels last experienced back in 2022.

DebtBusters' latest survey, released in July 2025, indicates that 70% of South Africans are experiencing financial stress. The survey also highlights that women are more stressed about financial matters than men, with almost four out of five women reporting financial stress. While there has been a slight decrease in overall financial stress compared to the previous year, the figure remains high.
"... levels of financial stress and anxiety are lower than the last two years... but it's still very elevated. Of those surveyed, 70% said they were having some financial stress. Over 90% said it was affecting their home life..."
- Benay Sager, DebtBusters
"The things we are spending money on... don't really reflect in the CPI... we've become between 30% to 40% poorer when it comes to money we're earning."
- Benay Sager, DebtBusters

According to DebtBusters, the Western Cape has overtaken Gauteng as the most financially stressed province in South Africa.

"It's the first time we've seen this... there's been a lot of semigration and we think that's partially what's driving it... housing costs are far more elevated than other provinces... a housing problem in the metro... driving people to feel a bit more stressed."
- Benay Sager, DebtBusters

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.