YOUTH & DEBT- With 6.7 million youth aged 18-24, only 1 million are credit active.

Loading player...
GUEST - Andrew Fulton – Director at Eighty20

South Africa's youth are grappling with deepening financial challenges, including crushing unemployment, limited asset ownership and mounting debt levels. Eighty20, South Africa’s leading consulting, analytics and research company analyses those aged 24 and younger, who make up 44.5% of the population—bearing the brunt of economic hardship, reflecting broader structural issues in the country’s economy.

Eighty20's National Segmentation reveals that of the 6.7 million youth aged 18-24, only one million are credit active. Yet among these credit users, nearly half have defaulted on their loans. With an average monthly income of R3,400 (less than half the national average of R7,000) and a youth unemployment rate of 62.4%, financial strain is widespread in this age group.
17 Jun 2025 5AM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

How Universal Vouchers Connect South Africa’s Cash Economy to Digital Services

With over 70% of South African households reporting financial stress and over a third expecting to struggle with monthly bills, financial inclusion must mean more than just access to credit. It requires enabling cash-reliant consumers to participate seamlessly in an increasingly digital economy. On KayaBiz, we sit down with Brett…
3 Nov 12PM 13 min

Why Local Government Failure Costs Ratepayers

As South Africans head to the polls for local government elections, a massive financial time bomb continues to shadow municipalities across the country: overdue municipal debt to Eskom has officially ballooned to R122.5 billion, with over 110 local councils owing more than R1 million each. On KayBiz, energy infrastructure and…
3 Nov 12PM 25 min

Why Dis-Chem Is Investing Through The Downturn

Dis-Chem grew revenue by 8% and continued gaining market share, but earnings came under pressure as the retailer accelerated investment in digital transformation, new stores and its healthcare ecosystem. CEO Rui Morais discusses Better Rewards, expansion plans, changing consumer behaviour and the long-term strategy underpinning the group's investment drive
2 Nov 12PM 11 min