New research crowns SA the most passionate and persevering country on the planet – especially when it gets down to business!
South Africa (07 August 2025) – We’ve always known South Africans have grit. The kind you can’t fake. It’s that ‘make-a-plan’ mentality that sees small businesses thrive, and the proof is in the pudding…
A new global study by Remitly has ranked South Africa as the country with the strongest entrepreneurial mindset, placing us firmly in the number one spot, ahead of 25 other nations, including the UK, Ireland, India and the USA.
Using the internationally recognised Grit Scale developed by psychologist Angela Duckworth, the study surveyed over 7,000 people to measure passion and perseverance – the two qualities most closely tied to entrepreneurial success.
If you’ve got a high “Grit Score,” it means you’re really committed to hitting your goals, even when things get tough. On the flip side, a lower score might mean you’re more likely to give up when difficulties pop up.
The higher the score, the more passionate and persevering the nation was, the stronger its entrepreneurial mindset is likely to be, Remitly says.
South Africa scored an impressive 46.18 out of 60, topping the global leaderboard.
That result won’t really surprise many locals who’ve seen resourcefulness in action. We’ve got hustle in our DNA. The global ranking wraps it up neatly with a bow:
“[South Africa] is a nation whose entrepreneurial mindset reflects its traits of being resourceful, determined, and eager to innovate. The country has some rapidly expanding hubs, such as Cape Town and Johannesburg, where technology and startup ecosystems are thriving, thanks to ambitious entrepreneurs keen to make their mark on the international stage.”
According to the study, South Africa is followed by the United Kingdom (42.54), Ireland (42.17), India (42.06) and Spain (41.13). The USA, long associated with start-up culture, ranked sixth.
Behind the numbers, we know what drives our ranking: a nation of people who know how to turn setbacks into comebacks, communities that lift one another up, and a belief that, even when the odds are stacked, something better can be built.
We don’t just dream. Ons maak ‘n plan.
Sources: Linked above.
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