In the United States, interest rates for all mortgage types started to increase in 2021. This was due to the Federal Reserve introducing a series of hikes in the federal funds rate to contain the rising inflation. In the second quarter of 2025, the 30-year fixed rate dropped slightly, to **** percent. The rate remained below the peak of **** percent in the fourth quarter of 2023. Why have U.S. home sales decreased? Cheaper mortgages normally encourage consumers to buy homes, while higher borrowing costs have the opposite effect. As interest rates increased in 2022, the number of existing homes sold plummeted. Soaring house prices over the past 10 years have further affected housing affordability. Between 2014 and 2024, the median price of an existing single-family home risen by about ** percent. On the other hand, the median weekly earnings have risen much slower. Comparing mortgage terms and rates Between 2008 and 2024, the average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage in the United States stood between **** and **** percent. Over the same period, a 30-year mortgage term averaged a fixed-rate of between **** and **** percent. Rates on 15-year loan terms are lower to encourage a quicker repayment, which helps to improve a homeowner’s equity.

Graph and download economic data for 15-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (MORTGAGE15US) from 1991-08-30 to 2025-11-26 about 15-year, mortgage, fixed, interest rate, interest, rate, and USA.

Mortgage rates surged at an unprecedented pace in 2022, with the average 10-year fixed rate doubling between March and December of that year. In response to mounting inflation, the Bank of England implemented a series of rate hikes, pushing borrowing costs steadily higher. By October 2025, the average 10-year fixed mortgage rate stood at **** percent. As financing becomes more expensive, housing demand has cooled, weighing on market sentiment and slowing house price growth. How have the mortgage hikes affected the market? After surging in 2021, the number of residential properties sold fell significantly in 2023, dipping to just above *** million transactions. This contraction in activity also dampened mortgage lending. Between the first quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, the value of new mortgage loans declined year-on-year for five consecutive quarters. Even as rates eased modestly in 2024 and housing activity picked up slightly, volumes remained well below the highs recorded in 2021. How are higher mortgages impacting homebuyers? For homeowners, the impact is being felt most acutely as fixed-rate deals expire. Mortgage terms in the UK typically range from two to ten years, and many borrowers who locked in historically low rates are now facing significantly higher repayments when refinancing. By the end of 2026, an estimated five million homeowners will see their mortgage deals expire. Roughly two million of these loans are projected to experience a monthly payment increase of up to *** British pounds by 2026, putting additional pressure on household budgets and constraining affordability across the market.

Graph and download economic data for 5/1-Year Adjustable Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (DISCONTINUED) (MORTGAGE5US) from 2005-01-06 to 2022-11-10 about adjusted, mortgage, 5-year, interest rate, interest, rate, and USA.

United States Mortgage Fixed Rate: Wk Ending: 30 Year: Point data was reported at 0.500 % pa in 26 Jul 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.400 % pa for 19 Jul 2018. United States Mortgage Fixed Rate: Wk Ending: 30 Year: Point data is updated weekly, averaging 0.600 % pa from Jan 2004 (Median) to 26 Jul 2018, with 760 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.900 % pa in 18 Nov 2010 and a record low of 0.300 % pa in 08 May 2008. United States Mortgage Fixed Rate: Wk Ending: 30 Year: Point data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Freddie Mac. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.M012: Mortgage Interest Rate.

Switzerland Mortgage Rate: Fixed: by Maturity: 10 Years data was reported at 1.779 % pa in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.697 % pa for Aug 2018. Switzerland Mortgage Rate: Fixed: by Maturity: 10 Years data is updated monthly, averaging 2.290 % pa from Jan 2008 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 129 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.700 % pa in Jun 2008 and a record low of 1.520 % pa in Sep 2016. Switzerland Mortgage Rate: Fixed: by Maturity: 10 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Swiss National Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Switzerland – Table CH.M005: Mortgage Rates.

United States Mortgage Adjustable Rate: Wk Ending: 5 Year: Point data was reported at 0.300 % pa in 06 Dec 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.300 % pa for 29 Nov 2018. United States Mortgage Adjustable Rate: Wk Ending: 5 Year: Point data is updated weekly, averaging 0.500 % pa from Jan 2005 (Median) to 06 Dec 2018, with 727 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.900 % pa in 20 Mar 2008 and a record low of 0.200 % pa in 02 Aug 2018. United States Mortgage Adjustable Rate: Wk Ending: 5 Year: Point data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Freddie Mac. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.M012: Mortgage Interest Rate.

This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (1 items: Canada ...).

Mortgage credit interest rate, percent in Spain, June, 2025 The most recent value is 2.96 percent as of June 2025, a decline compared to the previous value of 3.02 percent. Historically, the average for Spain from January 2003 to June 2025 is 2.73 percent. The minimum of 1.1 percent was recorded in August 2021, while the maximum of 5.72 percent was reached in November 2008. | TheGlobalEconomy.com

Switzerland Mortgage Rate: Fixed: by Maturity: 5 Years data was reported at 1.252 % pa in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.201 % pa for Aug 2018. Switzerland Mortgage Rate: Fixed: by Maturity: 5 Years data is updated monthly, averaging 1.580 % pa from Jan 2008 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 129 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.500 % pa in Jun 2008 and a record low of 1.170 % pa in May 2017. Switzerland Mortgage Rate: Fixed: by Maturity: 5 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Swiss National Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Switzerland – Table CH.M005: Mortgage Rates.

The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-09 was a period of severe macroeconomic instability for the United States and the global economy more generally. The crisis was precipitated by the collapse of a number of financial institutions who were deeply involved in the U.S. mortgage market and associated credit markets. Beginning in the Summer of 2007, a number of banks began to report issues with increasing mortgage delinquencies and the problem of not being able to accurately price derivatives contracts which were based on bundles of these U.S. residential mortgages. By the end of 2008, U.S. financial institutions had begun to fail due to their exposure to the housing market, leading to one of the deepest recessions in the history of the United States and to extensive government bailouts of the financial sector.

Subprime and the collapse of the U.S. mortgage market

The early 2000s had seen explosive growth in the U.S. mortgage market, as credit became cheaper due to the Federal Reserve's decision to lower interest rates in the aftermath of the 2001 'Dot Com' Crash, as well as because of the increasing globalization of financial flows which directed funds into U.S. financial markets. Lower mortgage rates gave incentive to financial institutions to begin lending to riskier borrowers, using so-called 'subprime' loans. These were loans to borrowers with poor credit scores, who would not have met the requirements for a conventional mortgage loan. In order to hedge against the risk of these riskier loans, financial institutions began to use complex financial instruments known as derivatives, which bundled mortgage loans together and allowed the risk of default to be sold on to willing investors. This practice was supposed to remove the risk from these loans, by effectively allowing credit institutions to buy insurance against delinquencies. Due to the fraudulent practices of credit ratings agencies, however, the price of these contacts did not reflect the real risk of the loans involved. As the reality of the inability of the borrowers to repay began to kick in during 2007, the financial markets which traded these derivatives came under increasing stress and eventually led to a 'sudden stop' in trading and credit intermediation during 2008.

Market Panic and The Great Recession

As borrowers failed to make repayments, this had a knock-on effect among financial institutions who were highly leveraged with financial instruments based on the mortgage market. Lehman Brothers, one of the world's largest investment banks, failed on September 15th 2008, causing widespread panic in financial markets. Due to the fear of an unprecedented collapse in the financial sector which would have untold consequences for the wider economy, the U.S. government and central bank, The Fed, intervened the following day to bailout the United States' largest insurance company, AIG, and to backstop financial markets. The crisis prompted a deep recession, known colloquially as The Great Recession, drawing parallels between this period and The Great Depression. The collapse of credit intermediation in the economy lead to further issues in the real economy, as business were increasingly unable to pay back loans and were forced to lay off staff, driving unemployment to a high of almost 10 percent in 2010. While there has been criticism of the U.S. government's actions to bailout the financial institutions involved, the actions of the government and the Fed are seen by many as having prevented the crisis from spiraling into a depression of the magnitude of The Great Depression.

Mortgage rates in the Netherlands increased sharply in 2022 and 2023, after declining gradually between 2008 and 2021. In December 2021, the average interest rate for new mortgage loans stood at **** percent, and by the end of 2023, it had risen to **** percent. In May 2025, mortgage rates decreased slightly, falling to **** percent on average. Mortgages with a 10-year fixed rate were the most affordable, at **** percent. Are mortgage rates in the Netherlands different from those in other European countries? When comparing this ranking to data that covers multiple European countries, the Netherlands’ mortgage rate was similar to the rates found in Spain, the United Kingdom, and Sweden. It was, however, a lot lower than the rates in Eastern Europe. Hungary and Romania, for example, had some of the highest mortgage rates. For more information on the European mortgage market and how much the countries differ from each other, please visit this dedicated research page. How big is the mortgage market in the Netherlands? The Netherlands has overall seen an increase in the number of mortgage loans sold and is regarded as one of the countries with the highest mortgage debt in Europe. The reason behind this is that Dutch homeowners were able to for many years to deduct interest paid from pre-tax income (a system known in the Netherlands as hypotheekrenteaftrek). Total mortgage debt of Dutch households has been increasing year-on-year since 2013.

Graph and download economic data for Interest Rates, Discount Rate for United States (INTDSRUSM193N) from Jan 1950 to Aug 2021 about discount, interest rate, interest, rate, and USA.

Mortgage credit interest rate, percent in Lithuania, September, 2025 The most recent value is 3.93 percent as of September 2025, a decline compared to the previous value of 3.97 percent. Historically, the average for Lithuania from October 2004 to September 2025 is 3.21 percent. The minimum of 1.59 percent was recorded in November 2017, while the maximum of 6 percent was reached in October 2008. | TheGlobalEconomy.com

Graph and download economic data for Bank Prime Loan Rate Changes: Historical Dates of Changes and Rates (PRIME) from 1955-08-04 to 2025-10-30 about prime, loans, interest rate, banks, depository institutions, interest, rate, and USA.

Mortgage credit interest rate, percent in Bulgaria, September, 2025 The most recent value is 2.72 percent as of September 2025, a decline compared to the previous value of 2.74 percent. Historically, the average for Bulgaria from January 2007 to September 2025 is 6.07 percent. The minimum of 2.72 percent was recorded in September 2025, while the maximum of 9.84 percent was reached in December 2008. | TheGlobalEconomy.com

Graph and download economic data for 30-Year Fixed Rate FHA Mortgage Index (OBMMIFHA30YF) from 2017-01-03 to 2025-12-01 about FHA, 30-year, mortgage, fixed, rate, indexes, and USA.

Context

The Federal Reserve sets interest rates to promote conditions that achieve the mandate set by the Congress — high employment, low and stable inflation, sustainable economic growth, and moderate long-term interest rates. Interest rates set by the Fed directly influence the cost of borrowing money. Lower interest rates encourage more people to obtain a mortgage for a new home or to borrow money for an automobile or for home improvement. Lower rates encourage businesses to borrow funds to invest in expansion such as purchasing new equipment, updating plants, or hiring more workers. Higher interest rates restrain such borrowing by consumers and businesses.

Content

This dataset includes data on the economic conditions in the United States on a monthly basis since 1954. The federal funds rate is the interest rate at which depository institutions trade federal funds (balances held at Federal Reserve Banks) with each other overnight. The rate that the borrowing institution pays to the lending institution is determined between the two banks; the weighted average rate for all of these types of negotiations is called the effective federal funds rate. The effective federal funds rate is determined by the market but is influenced by the Federal Reserve through open market operations to reach the federal funds rate target. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets eight times a year to determine the federal funds target rate; the target rate transitioned to a target range with an upper and lower limit in December 2008. The real gross domestic product is calculated as the seasonally adjusted quarterly rate of change in the gross domestic product based on chained 2009 dollars. The unemployment rate represents the number of unemployed as a seasonally adjusted percentage of the labor force. The inflation rate reflects the monthly change in the Consumer Price Index of products excluding food and energy.

Acknowledgements

The interest rate data was published by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis' economic data portal. The gross domestic product data was provided by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis; the unemployment and consumer price index data was provided by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Inspiration

How does economic growth, unemployment, and inflation impact the Federal Reserve's interest rates decisions? How has the interest rate policy changed over time? Can you predict the Federal Reserve's next decision? Will the target range set in March 2017 be increased, decreased, or remain the same?

Graph and download economic data for Delinquency Rate on Single-Family Residential Mortgages, Booked in Domestic Offices, All Commercial Banks (DRSFRMACBS) from Q1 1991 to Q3 2025 about domestic offices, delinquencies, 1-unit structures, mortgage, family, residential, commercial, domestic, banks, depository institutions, rate, and USA.

United States WAS: Effective Rate: FRM 30-Year: 1-Wk Change data was reported at 0.000 Point in 20 Jul 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.020 Point for 13 Jul 2018. United States WAS: Effective Rate: FRM 30-Year: 1-Wk Change data is updated weekly, averaging -0.010 Point from Jan 1990 (Median) to 20 Jul 2018, with 1489 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.610 Point in 09 Oct 1998 and a record low of -0.530 Point in 28 Nov 2008. United States WAS: Effective Rate: FRM 30-Year: 1-Wk Change data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Mortgage Bankers Association. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.M013: Weekly Applications Survey: Mortgage Interest Rate.