Nearly six in 10 (57%) South African women say they feel mostly or completely empowered to make important decisions about their future. Yet despite this confidence, 38% identify insufficient income as the single biggest barrier to achieving financial security, according to the inaugural 1Life Insurance Women’s Life Confidence Index, while 25% cite debt and high living costs as their greatest obstacle. Another 12% say family financial obligations continue to limit their ability to build wealth.
Women continue carrying the invisible load
Beyond paid employment, women continue to shoulder significant unpaid responsibilities. The survey found that:
- 60% are responsible for household management.
- 54% regularly undertake cooking and cleaning responsibilities.
- 43% provide emotional support to family members.
- 41% are responsible for childcare.
- 38% manage household financial planning.
These responsibilities are particularly significant considering that more than a quarter of respondents are single parents or primary caregivers.
When asked who had the greatest influence on the women they have become today:
- 59% cited their mothers.
- 24% said they had mostly relied on themselves.
- 24% credited their own children.
- 22% named their fathers.
The findings highlight the enduring importance of family relationships and female role models across generations.
Financial freedom remains the goal
Despite current financial pressures, women’s aspirations remain focused on long-term security:
- 74% define success as achieving financial freedom.
- 67% prioritise good health.
- 62% value a happy family life.
- 56% associate success with peace of mind.
- 43% aspire to own property.
When asked what would most improve their ability to build wealth:
- 60% said earning a better income.
- 39% wanted lower debt.
- 26% prioritised better investment opportunities.
- 24% identified stronger savings habits.
Women are protecting their families, but gaps remain. .Protection remains a priority for many respondents. The survey found:
- 69% have funeral cover.
- 62% have life cover.
However, significantly fewer women reported having disability, dread disease or income protection cover.
Although around half believe their families would be mostly or fully financially prepared if something happened to them, nearly one in six (16%) admit they are not financially prepared, while others remain uncertain.
Recognising the value of tracking these shifts over time, 1Life Insurance has evolved its annual Women’s Month Survey into the 1Life Insurance Women’s Life Confidence Index. The Index will now measure women’s progress across five core pillars:
Financial confidence. Women’s ability to manage money, plan and protect their future.
Lived empowerment. The extent to which women feel they have real agency over their lives.
Support networks. Who women rely on emotionally, practically and financially.
Legacy and generational wealth. Women’s aspirations to build lasting financial security for future generations.
Future optimism. Confidence in their personal, family and financial prospects over the next five years.
By tracking these indicators annually, the Index aims to become one of South Africa’s leading measures of women’s financial wellbeing, resilience and confidence. The research platform will enable 1Life Insurance to move beyond reporting annual survey findings and instead measure how women’s lives evolve over time, creating a distinctive body of insight that informs public conversations, financial education and thought leadership.
