South African consumers are grappling with rising inflation and declining financial optimism, as highlighted in TransUnion's Q2 2026 Consumer Pulse Study. With 79% ranking inflation as a top concern, households are adjusting their spending and borrowing behaviours to navigate ongoing financial strain.
South African households remain under significant financial pressure, with rising living costs continuing to outpace income growth and leaving many consumers struggling to keep up with their financial obligations.
According to TransUnion's Q2 2026 Consumer Pulse Study (CPS), nearly four in 10 South Africans (39%) expect to miss at least one bill or loan repayment in the coming months, highlighting the ongoing strain that persistent inflation places on household finances.
The findings suggest that while consumers adapt to a challenging economic environment, there is little evidence of a broad-based recovery. Instead, households make increasingly difficult trade-offs as affordability pressures reshape spending, borrowing and saving habits.
"Consumers are still managing, but the margin for error is shrinking. Even modest increases in essential costs force difficult trade-offs, which is reflected in lower confidence and more cautious credit behaviour," says Ayesha Hatea, director of research and consulting at TransUnion South Africa.
