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

Women Behind the Wheel: Breaking Barriers in Automotive Leadership

From SABC broadcaster to senior communications leader at Isuzu Motors SA, Iviwe Poti shares her journey through two male‑dominated industries: automotive and strategic marketing. She discusses navigating corporate spaces, shaping brand narratives across commercial vehicles, mentoring young women, and driving transformation in one of South Africa’s toughest sectors.
17 Aug 1PM 17 min

The Cost Women Carry - Inside SA’s Hidden Labour

The Her & Now 2026 report reveals a country where women feel overlooked by institutions, unsafe in public spaces, financially strained by products not built for their realities, and burdened by hours of unpaid care work. Dr Reitumetse Mpholle breaks down the data and explains the systemic shifts needed to…
17 Aug 1PM 13 min

How Jockey Built a 95% Made‑in‑SA Apparel Business

As Jockey celebrates 150 years globally, South Africa stands out with a remarkable localisation story: over 95% of Jockey SA’s products are manufactured locally through a 75‑year partnership with Ninian & Lester. The company’s General Manger Bruce McMurray unpacks how heritage, innovation and local manufacturing agility have become competitive advantages…
17 Aug 12PM 14 min

Weaver Fintech’s Half‑Year shows Fintech Rising, Credit Tightening

Weaver Fintech grew revenue to R2.8 billion and now serves 5.1 million customers but rising debtor costs and tighter credit approvals reveal a consumer under strain. CEO Sean Wibberley breaks down the numbers — from the surge in payments and BNPL adoption to the deliberate slowdown in lending. We explore…
13 Aug 12PM 16 min

Standard Bank delivers Record Half-Year Earnings of R26 billion

Standard Bank reports record headline earnings of R26.1bn, up 10% for 1H26, with ROE rising to 19.8%, it's highest under Basel III. Sim Tshabalala unpacks the drivers behind the performance — client-led growth, disciplined cost management, strong balance sheet momentum, and Africa Regions contributing 40% of Group earnings. We explore…
13 Aug 12PM 17 min