{
  "id": 19810552,
  "title": "People living longer will put pressure on government’s resources, says Masondo",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/people-living-longer-will-put-pressure-on-governments-resources-says",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-13T13:16:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/business/people-living-longer-will-put-pressure-on-governments-resources-says-masondo/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Deputy Finance Minister David Masondo has expressed concern that South Africa's ageing population will put increasing strain on public finances and private sector resources, as the old-age dependency ratio continues to rise. Speaking at the launch of a report on the impact of longevity on fiscal sustainability in South Africa, Masondo highlighted the economic challenges posed by this demographic shift. The report, compiled by the Inclusive Society Institute and Nedbank, revealed that South Africa's old-age dependency ratio increased from 8 in 2011 to 10 in 2022. This means that for every 100 working-age adults, there were 10 older individuals requiring support. Masondo emphasized that this trend will negatively impact productivity as resources are increasingly directed towards supporting retirees rather than investing in new economic activities. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) defines longevity as the risk that actual lifespans exceed expectations. The report suggested that over a 30-year period, there is a significant risk of additional pressure on government expenditure due to longevity, placing South Africa's overall risk level between medium and high. Masondo stated that policymakers must be mindful of the social and economic challenges associated with longevity. He noted that insurers and private pension managers are particularly concerned about the impact on retirement finances, as long-lived pensioners put greater demands on these schemes. The report also highlighted that growth in the old-age dependency ratio could have negative consequences for a country with low economic growth, such as South Africa. Masondo warned that governments may need to either reduce benefits, increase taxes, or borrow more to finance the resulting deficits, although raising taxes may not be economically feasible without stifling growth. The report also projected that South Africa's population will continue to grow but at a slower rate, reaching around 80 million in 2055 and 93.5 million by the end of the century. By 2055, the proportion of the population aged 65 and above is expected to increase from 6.5% to around 9.0%.",
  "summary": "According to the data, for every 100 working-age adults, 10 older adults required support.",
  "key_points": [
    "South Africa's old-age dependency ratio rose from 8 in 2011 to 10 in 2022.",
    "Deputy Finance Minister David Masondo warns of increasing strain on public finances.",
    "IMF defines longevity as risk of actual lifespans exceeding expectations."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}