Take-home pay dips amid a complex mix of local and global challenges.
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GUEST – Elize Kruger, Independent Economist.
In recent months, South Africa’s take-home pay landscape has undergone a noticeable shift, with the average nominal salary dipping in March 2025 despite a broader trend of year-on-year improvement. This change comes amid a complex mix of local and global challenges, from intensifying geopolitical trade tensions and slowing international growth, to domestic economic strain marked by persistent inflationary pressures, political uncertainty, and an increasingly cautious consumer base.
In this conversation, we delve into the reasons behind the recent moderation in take-home pay, explore how salary earners are navigating the ongoing volatility, and assess what lies ahead for employment, earnings, and economic confidence.
In recent months, South Africa’s take-home pay landscape has undergone a noticeable shift, with the average nominal salary dipping in March 2025 despite a broader trend of year-on-year improvement. This change comes amid a complex mix of local and global challenges, from intensifying geopolitical trade tensions and slowing international growth, to domestic economic strain marked by persistent inflationary pressures, political uncertainty, and an increasingly cautious consumer base.
In this conversation, we delve into the reasons behind the recent moderation in take-home pay, explore how salary earners are navigating the ongoing volatility, and assess what lies ahead for employment, earnings, and economic confidence.