Gone are the days when earning between R30,000 and R60,000 a month in South Africa automatically meant a comfortable middle-class life
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Gone are the days when earning between R30,000 and R60,000 a month in South Africa automatically meant a comfortable middle-class life, as rising costs and debt now squeeze households across this income bracket.
According to data from National Debt Advisors, many consumers in this segment are increasingly struggling to keep up with monthly repayments despite what was once considered a stable income.
In an interview with Radio 702, debt counsellor Samantha Moyana said many higher-income earners are finding themselves caught in a cycle of debt driven by rising living costs and easy access to credit.
"Even earning 50K a month in South Africa can feel tight right now. People earning that amount usually spend roughly 74% of their take-home pay to pay their debt, such as credit cards, car finance, and personal loans, which actually add up fast. With such high affordability, you also qualify for a lot of credit," Moyana said.
"That is why many consumers end up finding themselves not being able to make any money at the end of the month because they have to suffer through debt".
She added that many households are squeezed from both sides, with rising living costs and fixed debt commitments leaving little flexibility in monthly budgets.
"Due to rising living costs, you know, let's say you squeeze the middle class from both sides, and also our debt ends up filling the gap. Middle class, for example, you have a fixed-commitment salary, so you end up getting yourself a home loan, a vehicle that you need to finance, and you're taking your children to private school".
"So all of those expenses do add up at the end of the month, and those are expenses that you need to pay for on a monthly basis".
IOL previously reported that South African households are confronting a relentless squeeze on their wallets, as essential goods and electricity bills continue to climb.
This was according to the second Cost of Living Report released last month by the Competition Commission , which found that staples such as maize meal, bread, eggs, and cooking oil remain stubbornly expensive, while rising electricity tariffs are adding to household pressure even with headline inflation averaging 3.2% in 2025 and reaching 3.6% in December.
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