The stark financial reality facing youth

IN 2009, I earned R5000 a month as an intern. Rent was R2000 a month, and while that swallowed most of my income, I could still afford transport, groceries, and the occasional night out. It wasn't glamorous, but it was possible. I lived independently, shared a flat in Observatory, and felt like I was building something. Fast forward to 2025, and I see young professionals entering the same industry with similar starting salaries, but facing a cost-of-living crisis that makes my early struggles look like a luxury.

- DIEKETSENG MALEKE

A new report by The TEFL Academy titled: The Cost of Being Young in 2005 vs 2025 in South Africa aims to spark discussion about the widening affordability gap and the urgent need for policies and pathways to support today's youth.

While Millennials face challenges, the report makes clear that Gen Z in South Africa is paying significantly more of their income for basic survival, housing, food, education, and transport, even as nominal earnings have risen.

The report lays bare the generational divide: Gen Z graduates today earn between R6 000 and R9 000 per month, yet rent alone averages R8,598. That's up from R1 500 in 2009, meaning rent now consumes up to 64% of a graduate's income, compared to 30% in my time. Even cheaper options around R4 000 still eat up half their pay. Add deposits, transport, and groceries, and financial independence becomes a fantasy.