Greenfields Research established the Hope & Fear Index to measure these emotions and explore how they differ across communities, population groups and generations.

Our inaugural survey, conducted in September 2026 across five major metropolitan areas, revealed a striking contradiction: 73% of respondents felt fearful, 49% remained hopeful, and 39% reported feeling both.

These findings raise important questions about South Africans’ expectations for the future and their belief in their ability to shape it.

We intend to publish the Index annually to track how these attitudes change over time.

Explore our research:

View the Hope & Fear Research Presentation

Read our Business Day Opinion Article

For more information, further analysis or research enquiries, contact Greenfields Research.