Key Statistics
- Women-only buyers own approximately 2,154,000 properties, which represents 38% of all residential properties owned by individuals
- Men-only buyers own about 1,694,000 properties (29%)
- Joint ownership (male–female co-ownership) accounts for the remaining 33% of properties
Taken together, women independently or jointly own roughly 71% of residential properties.
- Lightstone analysis finds that about 60% of residential properties are owned by women (either on their own or jointly) as of mid‑2025
Historical Trends & Context
- The shift began around 2016, when women-only buyers surpassed men-only buyers.
- By 2022, women-only buyers also overtook mixed-gender couple buyers, making women the dominant demographic in property ownership
- As of 2025, women account for approximately 60% of total residential property ownership (both sole and joint ownership combined)
Price Value Disparities
- Although women own more properties in number, they tend to purchase lower‑value homes, often in price bands under R750,000, including social housing (SA People).
- The price gap between women-only buyers and mixed-gender couples has widened since around 2020, indicating growing inequality in property value ownership
Summary Table
Ownership Category Estimated Share of Properties
Women-only buyers 38% (~2,154,000 properties)
Men-only buyers 29% (~1,694,000 properties)
Joint (male–female) ownership 33%
Combined women (sole + joint) ~71%
Lightstone composite women's ownership estimate ~60% of all residential properties
Interpretation & Implications
- Women are now the predominant property owners in South Africa in terms of numbers, marking a major shift in the real estate landscape.
- While the number of women buyers has grown rapidly, economic disparities persist: women are more likely to own more affordable properties.
- This reflects broader socioeconomic challenges, including gender pay gaps, single-parenting responsibilities, and access to affordable financing.
Social Dynamics Behind the Trend
Factors driving this shift include:
- A significant proportion of single or divorced women are purchasing property independently.
- Women’s greater financial independence, longer life expectancy, and inheritance trends.
- Strategic approaches such as stokvels, female-focused saving schemes, and property investment groups
Looking Ahead
- Industry analysts predict that by 2030, women may be responsible for up to 70% of new home purchases, driven by remote work trends and continuing empowerment in financial decisions
- Developers and lenders are increasingly tailoring services and products to meet women's preferences, focusing on safety, affordability, sustainable living, and home office flexibility.
Conclusion
- Women-only buyers now account for 38% of sole property ownership, and when including joint purchases, women hold approximately 71% of properties.
- While women outpace men in quantity, they still purchase cheaper homes on average.
- This is a clear indicator of women’s rising agency in real estate, though it also highlights challenges around affordability and equity.