Beyond checking South African’s financial wellness temperature, the NedFinHealth Index does something even more powerful, it holds up a mirror for us to see our true financial selves.
Using eight financial health indicators across four key dimensions, spend, save, plan and borrow, the index helps us compare how we think we are doing, with what the data tells us.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your money habits could be better, lighter, or just a little less stressful, this might be your sign to pause, reflect, and get curious about your own financial story.
Spending, The End of Living Beyond the Hype
South African’s love a “treat yourself” moment, but the numbers tell a more grounded story.
According to the index, 45% of South Africans are spending less than they earn. That is a significant achievement and one of the biggest milestones on the road to financial fitness.
The spend area has climbed to 57.1% driven by more people consciously keeping expenses in check and paying their bills on time. So, the next time you are tempted to swipe because “everyone else is doing it” remember, almost half of the country is choosing restraint over impulse and it’s paying off.
Savings, Turns Out There’s More in the Safe Than We Admit
We South African’s are famous for downplaying what we have, especially when the topic of savings comes up, no one has money. But here is the truth, 57% of South Africans have three months or more of savings put aside.
So which friend are you? The one who insists that they have “nothing left” or the one quietly sitting on enough savings to say yes to a spontaneous weekend away? The data suggests more of us are doing better than we let on.
Planning, Not Just for the Future, For Right Now
South African’s are known for their creativity, their relentless spirit and never-ending hustle. But here is the kicker, we also plan, exceptionally well.
A solid 71% of South African’s have a monthly household budget, that is not accidental, that intentional money behaviour. It means many of us are thinking ahead, covering bases, and making room for both responsibilities and life’s little surprises.
So, when your best friend pitches an unplanned getaway, chances are they’ve already budgeted for it, have you?
Borrowing & Stressing, A Shared Reality
Apart from us all being South African’s, we share other common realities, like money stress which is very real. In fact, it remains the number one source of stress for South Africans, cutting across age, income and lifestyle.
With 58% of South African’s worried about financial scams, fraud and job-related stress continue to rise, you might wonder what’s the upside? The borrow score continues to improve, with more people reporting manageable debt or no debt at all.
When holding the mirror up on our financial status, it’s not perfect but it’s progress and progress matters.
Your Move, Get Curious About Your Own Money Story
Financial fitness isn’t about perfection; it’s about awareness. Taking a few minutes to assess where you stand can unlock insights that help you spend smarter, save with confidence, plan with intention and borrow responsibly.
There are also tools like the Nedbank NedFinHealth Index calculator that are built to make it easy to understand your financial health and take practical steps towards getting financially fit, a journey South African’s can all take together.
To see where you stand and how to take your next step toward financial fitness, download the full NedFinHealth Index report here. https://www.moneyedge.co.za/home.html .
