There’s no financial breathing room for young South Africans embarking on their careers. Those aged 24 or less are experiencing the largest increase in financial stress of any age group, according to the latest insights from DebtBusters.

The annual Money-Stress Tracker survey, one of South Africa’s largest consumer financial studies, surveying over 18,000 respondents—found that stress among the youngest demographic spiked by 18% in the past year.

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This growing pressure is also reflected in the Q2 2026 Debt Index, which highlights a significant surge in young people applying for debt counselling:

• 2016 – 2024: Under-24s consistently comprised less than 2% of total debt counselling applicants.
• 2025: The figure rose to 4%.
• 2026: The proportion climbed sharply to 9%.

“This signals that financial stress is affecting South Africans earlier, as they enter adulthood in a much more expensive environment than their slightly older peers,” explains Benay Sager, executive head of DebtBusters.

Key Drivers: Cost of Living and Debt Pressures

After two years dominated by high interest rates, inflation and rising electricity tariffs have re-emerged as the primary sources of everyday financial anxiety. These economic pressures hit lower-income earners and young workers the hardest.

For consumers under 24, the most pressing financial concerns include:

• Escalating cost of living: Concern over basic living expenses jumped substantially between 2025 and 2026.
• Monthly debt repayments: Managing monthly debt obligations remains a persistent challenge for entry-level earners.

Despite these hurdles, the survey reveals a silver lining: under-24s are currently under the least repayment pressure relative to income. 53% of younger consumers spend 30% or more of their net income on debt repayments, compared to an overall population average of 67%.

Proactive Steps Toward Financial Wellness

Rather than ignoring the squeeze, young South Africans are taking proactive measures to gain control of their finances:

• Budgeting: Under-24s are 1.5 times more likely to stick strictly to a monthly budget than consumers aged 55 or older.
• Career Growth: They are 4 times more likely to actively seek higher-paying employment opportunities.
• Digital Tools: Younger generations drive the steady growth in subscriptions to online debt management platforms.

“This, and the continued growth in young people applying for debt counselling, is positive,” notes Sager. “More consumers are taking the opportunity to address debt earlier in their professional lives.”