South African Women Face 10-15% Higher Financial Stress Than Men

South African women report 10-15% higher financial stress than men, according to the Money Stress Tracker survey. The gap reflects a set of structural hurdles that compound over a career: women earn less on average, take time out for maternity and family care, live longer, and carry the financial weight of supporting both children and ageing parents.

The cumulative effect is a smaller retirement nest egg that must stretch across more years. Women also tend to keep capital in money-market or fixed-deposit accounts, a conservative approach that limits long-term growth.

There are signs of change. The share of women who feel confident in their savings and investment decisions has risen steadily over the past few years, with the strongest gains among younger women and higher earners. Professional advice is part of that shift: 45% of women now consult a financial adviser, up from 40% in 2023.

Leslie Greyling, a registered financial planner at Brenthurst Wealth in Fourways, points to seven common mistakes that hold women back, and the fixes for each.

Delaying investing is the first. Starting early, even with a small amount, matters more than trying to time the market. Time in the market beats timing it.

Underestimating retirement needs is the second. Contribute consistently to retirement accounts and raise contributions whenever income grows.