Four in five South African employees regularly worry about money, with experts warning that financial stress is hurting productivity and increasing staff turnover.
South Africa's growing financial pressures are increasingly spilling into the workplace, with nearly half of employees either taking on side hustles or considering additional income streams because of financial stress, according to new research from fintech company Wealthbit.
While recent studies have highlighted the country's entrepreneurial spirit, Wealthbit's 2025 Financial Stress Report paints a more concerning picture of why many South Africans are seeking extra sources of income.
According to the report, 48% of South African employees have either started a side hustle or seriously considered one due to financial pressure rather than personal ambition or creative fulfilment.
The findings come against a backdrop of mounting household debt and rising living costs. Data from the South African Reserve Bank shows that more than 60% of household income is being used to service debt, while 38% of consumers were unable to pay at least one bill in full during the first quarter of 2025.
