Gen Z is rewriting the rules and medical aid schemes need to catch up

GENERATION Z is entering the workforce in numbers too large to ignore. By 2030, they'll make up nearly 40% of South Africa’s working population.

- REO BOTES

They are young, ambitious, tech-savvy, and largely uninsured.

In a country where private medical aid remains unaffordable for many, a worrying number of Gen Z employees are going without any form of health cover. This isn’t due to negligence.

It’s economics. The average Gen Z worker, either fresh out of university or early in their career, simply doesn’t earn enough to justify paying thousands of rands a month for traditional medical aid schemes.

As a result, many are walking a tightrope without a safety net.

The high cost of poor cover

The implications for employers are bigger than they may realise.

A generation under financial pressure and health-related stress is not a productive, engaged, or loyal workforce. Gen Z’s top stressors include money (58%), career anxiety (54%), and family responsibilities (45%), making mental and physical wellness not just a “nice-to-have” but a survival priority.

Yet, without access to affordable health insurance through their employers, too many are forced to choose between a GP visit and groceries. This is where businesses need to step in, not only from a moral standpoint but from a practical one.

Offering tailored, affordable health insurance benefits isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s a strategic move to attract and retain top talent in an increasingly competitive market.

One-size-fits-all is a thing of the past

The days of one-size-fits-all medical schemes are over.