Nearly six in ten (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.
The Index, which evolved from 1Life Insurance’s inaugural Women’s Month Survey launched in 2025, surveyed 957 women across South Africa and provides a comprehensive view of the realities shaping women’s financial confidence, resilience and aspirations.
The research reveals a striking contradiction: women are increasingly confident in their ability to make life decisions, yet many remain financially constrained by circumstances beyond their control.
“What stands out most is that South African women don’t lack ambition or resilience – they lack financial breathing room,” says Hayley Parry, Money Coach and Facilitator of 1Life Insurance’s Truth About Money.
“Women are making thoughtful financial decisions, managing households and planning for their families’ futures, yet many still feel held back by insufficient income and the rising cost of living. Financial confidence isn’t simply about earning more; it’s about having the knowledge, support and protection to make every rand work harder.”
Financial confidence is high, but financial freedom remains elusive
The study found that 32% of respondents feel completely empowered to shape their futures, while a further 25% feel mostly empowered, meaning nearly six in ten women (57%) believe they have meaningful agency over their lives.
Yet financial pressures remain widespread.
Nearly 38% of respondents say insufficient income is preventing them from becoming financially secure, 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.
These findings reinforce a trend first identified in the 2025 Women’s Month Survey, where financial resilience emerged as one of the defining challenges facing South African women. While confidence has strengthened over the past year, financial realities continue to constrain women’s long-term ambitions.
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.
Mothers remain women’s greatest influence
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 ultimate goal
Despite current financial pressures, women’s aspirations remain firmly focused on long-term security.
The research found:
- 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.
However, 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.
“These findings tell us that women already know what they want for themselves and their families,” says Parry. “They want financial freedom, peace of mind and the confidence that the people they love will be protected. Through Truth About Money, we’ve seen how practical financial education, combined with the right financial protection, can help women move from simply coping to building lasting financial resilience and generational wealth.”
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.
Meanwhile, 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.
From Women’s Month Survey to Women’s Life Confidence Index
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 well-being, 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. It also reinforces 1Life Insurance’s commitment to helping South Africans protect what matters most while building financial confidence, resilience and a lasting legacy.
As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, the inaugural Women’s Life Confidence Index provides an important benchmark for understanding the progress women are making – and the barriers that still need to be addressed to help more women build secure financial futures.