Why South Africans are running out of money before payday

0 Many South African households are struggling to make their salaries last until payday. Image: OpenAI-generated. Home » Why South Africans are running out of money before payday

Why are South Africans running out of money before payday? New research shows how debt and family responsibilities are stretching monthly salaries.

0 Many South African households are struggling to make their salaries last until payday. Image: OpenAI-generated. Nearly half of South Africans surveyed are borrowing money before payday, while rising debt repayments are leaving households struggling to make ends meet.

For many working South Africans, payday brings relief. But that relief is increasingly short-lived, with salaries disappearing long before the next payday arrives.

New research reveals that 43% of respondents are borrowing money before month-end to cover their living expenses.

The findings raise an important question: Why are so many South Africans struggling to make their salaries last?

According to JustMoney’s 2026 Money & Me survey, 65% of respondents experience financial difficulties every month, compared with 61% in 2025.

The survey, which gathered more than 5,400 responses during July and August 2026, highlights growing pressure on household finances.

Only 10% of respondents said they felt confident about their income.

For households juggling groceries, transport, electricity, debt repayments and family responsibilities, making a salary last until month-end can be difficult.

Debt is placing additional pressure on already stretched household budgets.

The survey found that 51% of respondents spend more than 40% of their take-home pay on debt repayments, up from 38% in 2025.

That means someone earning R20,000 after tax and spending 40% on debt would have R12,000 remaining for rent, food, transport and other expenses.

Borrowing to cover everyday costs can also create a difficult cycle, particularly when interest charges reduce the money available the following month.

Earning a higher salary does not necessarily guarantee financial security.

The research found that 57% of respondents earning more than R35,000 a month could not cover an unexpected R10,000 expense using their savings.

Fewer than one in five respondents overall could afford such an emergency.

This reflects a wider concern about financial resilience, particularly when households have little money left after meeting their monthly commitments.

SAPeople previously explored how even higher-income South Africans are feeling the pressure of debt.

Supporting relatives is another challenge for many households.

The survey found that 46% of respondents financially support four or more people, compared with 43% in 2025.

Among those supporting at least four dependants, only 7% manage to save 10% or more of their monthly income.

This means that a single salary may need to stretch across several people’s needs, leaving limited room for unexpected expenses.

While household budgets differ, a few practical steps may help people understand where their money is going.

However, budgeting alone cannot always close the gap when essential expenses exceed household income.

With 43% of survey respondents borrowing before month-end, the findings suggest that financial pressure is no longer limited to those without a regular income.

For many South Africans, the challenge is not simply earning a salary, but making that salary last.

Have your say: Is your salary still stretching until payday, or are you finding it harder to make ends meet? Let us know in the comments below.

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