South African salary earners remain under significant financial pressure as rising inflation, higher fuel costs and economic uncertainty continue to erode purchasing power, according to the latest PayInc Net Salary Index for May 2026, which tracks the monthly average nominal net salaries of around 2.1 million salary earners. But there could be some relief on the horizon in the coming months for the local economy.

For more on the Index Elize Kruger, Independent Economist.