- Fewer than half (49%) of South Africans say democracy is preferable to any other form of government, though the share who support democracy is up from the lowest recorded level in 2021 (40%) (Figure 1). o Support for democracy increases with age, ranging from 42% among youth (those aged 18-35) to 64% among the elderly (those aged 56 years and above), but decreases with education (Figure 2). o Two-fifths (41%) of unemployed citizens support democracy, compared to narrow majorities of full-time workers (53%), part-time workers (53%), and adults who are neither working nor looking for a job (52%).
- The share of respondents who support military rule has spiked from 28% in 2022 to 49% in 2025, an increase of 21 percentage points (Figure 3). o About four in 10 (42%) are opposed to a military takeover.
- Seven in 10 respondents (70%) are dissatisfied with the way democracy works in South Africa (Figure 4). o Dissatisfaction is highest among the poor (79% of those experiencing high lived poverty), middle-aged respondents (77% of those aged 36-55 years), and job seekers (76%).
- South Africans see unemployment as the country’s biggest problem (cited by 55% of respondents as one of three priorities for government action) (Figure 5). o Other top priorities include crime and security (35%), water supply (31%), infrastructure/roads (28%), and corruption (21%).
- Four in 10 South Africans (40%) say the government of national unity (GNU) has been effective at solving the country’s most pressing problems, but a similar proportion (38%) disagrees (Figure 6).
Fewer than half of South Africans prefer democracy over other kinds of government, the latest Afrobarometer survey reveals, though the share who support democracy has increased since the historic low recorded in 2021.
For the first time in more than 25 years of surveying South Africa, the share of citizens who support military rule is higher than the share who oppose it. Almost half of respondents would approve of the army coming in to govern the country.
Fully seven in 10 South Africans are dissatisfied with the way democracy functions in the country. Poor South Africans, unemployed citizens, and middle-aged respondents record the highest levels of dissatisfaction.
Unemployment is the most important problem requiring government intervention, according to more than half of South Africans. Next on the list of citizen priorities is crime and security, water supply, infrastructure/roads, and corruption.
Four in 10 citizens think the government of national unity (GNU) has been effective at solving the country’s most pressing problems, but a similar proportion disagrees.