A 2023 survey found that 55 percent of Republicans do not think that Congress should raise the debt ceiling after the U.S. treasury reached its spending limits in January 2023. The U.S. debt ceiling does not authorize new spending commitments, it simply allows the government to finance existing legal obligations that it has made in the past. If a government does not raise the debt ceiling, the U.S. treasury will default on its debt, and could trigger an economic recession.

A 2023 survey found that 35 percent of Americans do not think that Congress should raise the debt ceiling after the U.S. treasury reached its spending limits in January 2023. The U.S. debt ceiling does not authorize new spending commitments, it simply allows the government to finance existing legal obligations that it has made in the past. If a government does not raise the debt ceiling, the U.S. treasury will default on its debt, and could trigger an economic recession.

In 2023, the gross federal debt in the United States amounted to around ****** U.S. dollars per capita. This is a moderate increase from the previous year, when the per capita national debt amounted to about ****** U.S. dollars. The total debt accrued by the U.S. annually can be accessed here. Federal debt of the United States The level of national debt held by the United States government has risen sharply in the years following the Great Recession. Federal debt is the amount of debt the federal government owes to creditors who hold assets in the form of debt securities. As with individuals and consumers, there is a common consensus among economists that holding debt is not necessarily problematic for government so long as the public debt is held at a sustainable level. Although there is no agreed upon ratio of debt to gross domestic product, the increasing debt held by the Federal Reserve has become a major part of the political discourse in the United States. Politics and the national debt In recent years, debate over the debt ceiling has been of concern to domestic politicians, the owners of federal debt, and global economy as a whole. The debt ceiling is a legislated maximum amount that national debt can reach intended to impose a degree of fiscal prudence on incumbent governments. However, as national debt has grown the debt ceiling has been reached, thus forcing legislative action by Congress. In both 2011 and 2013, new legislation was passed by Congress allowing the debt ceiling to be raised. The Budget Control Act of 2011 and the No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013 successively allowed the government to avoid defaulting on national debt and therefore avert a potential economic crisis.

The global student debt recovery services market is experiencing robust growth, driven by the escalating burden of student loan debt worldwide and increasingly sophisticated debt collection techniques. The market is segmented by application (schools, banks, government, non-profits) and service type (tuition fee recovery, living expenses recovery, other education-related debt). While precise market sizing requires further data, a reasonable estimate, considering the global student loan debt crisis and the consequential rise in debt recovery activity, places the 2025 market value at approximately $5 billion. Assuming a conservative Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8% over the forecast period (2025-2033), the market is projected to surpass $10 billion by 2033. Key drivers include rising student loan defaults, stringent regulatory frameworks demanding efficient debt recovery, and the increasing adoption of technological advancements such as AI-powered debt collection tools and predictive analytics to optimize recovery strategies. Trends indicate a shift towards more ethical and empathetic debt recovery practices, alongside the growing outsourcing of debt recovery services by educational institutions and financial lenders. However, restraining factors include stringent data privacy regulations, economic downturns impacting borrowers' repayment abilities, and public criticism of aggressive debt collection methods. The North American market, particularly the United States, currently holds a significant market share, owing to the substantial volume of student debt within the region. However, growth in other regions, especially in rapidly developing economies of Asia Pacific (India and China) and parts of Europe, is expected to accelerate, as higher education access expands, leading to a parallel increase in student loan debt and the subsequent need for recovery services. Major players in the market are leveraging technological innovation to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs. The competitive landscape is characterized by a mix of large international firms and specialized regional players, creating a dynamic and evolving market structure. The future success of firms hinges on their capacity to adapt to changing regulations, technological advancements, and evolving consumer expectations regarding ethical and responsible debt collection.

Graph and download economic data for Delinquency Rate on Business Loans, All Commercial Banks (DRBLACBS) from Q1 1987 to Q1 2025 about delinquencies, commercial, business, loans, banks, depository institutions, industry, rate, and USA.

Credit card debt in the United States has been growing at a fast pace between 2021 and 2025. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the overall amount of credit card debt reached its highest value throughout the timeline considered here. COVID-19 had a big impact on the indebtedness of Americans, as credit card debt decreased from *** billion U.S. dollars in the last quarter of 2019 to *** billion U.S. dollars in the first quarter of 2021. What portion of Americans use credit cards? A substantial portion of Americans had at least one credit card in 2025. That year, the penetration rate of credit cards in the United States was ** percent. This number increased by nearly seven percentage points since 2014. The primary factors behind the high utilization of credit cards in the United States are a prevalent culture of convenience, a wide range of reward schemes, and consumer preferences for postponed payments. Which companies dominate the credit card issuing market? In 2024, the leading credit card issuers in the U.S. by volume were JPMorgan Chase & Co. and American Express. Both firms recorded transactions worth over one trillion U.S. dollars that year. Citi and Capital One were the next banks in that ranking, with the transactions made with their credit cards amounting to over half a trillion U.S. dollars that year. Those industry giants, along with other prominent brand names in the industry such as Bank of America, Synchrony Financial, Wells Fargo, and others, dominate the credit card market. Due to their extensive customer base, appealing rewards, and competitive offerings, they have gained a significant market share, making them the preferred choice for consumers.

Graph and download economic data for Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks (DRCCLACBS) from Q1 1991 to Q1 2025 about credit cards, delinquencies, commercial, loans, banks, depository institutions, rate, and USA.

The global debt collection software and service market is estimated to be valued at USD 3.7 billion in 2025 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2025 to 2033. The growth of the market is primarily driven by the increasing number of defaulted loans and the need for efficient and cost-effective debt collection solutions. The growing adoption of technology in the financial industry is further fueling the demand for debt collection software and services. The market is segmented based on type (software and services), application (healthcare, student loans, financial services, government, retail, telecom & utility, mortgage, and others), and region (North America, South America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Asia Pacific). North America is the largest market for debt collection software and services, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. The presence of a large number of financial institutions and the high rate of consumer debt in these regions are driving the growth of the market. The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period due to the growing consumer spending and the increasing number of defaulted loans in the region.

The educational debt recovery services market is experiencing robust growth, driven by the escalating cost of higher education and increasing student loan defaults globally. The market, estimated at $10 billion in 2025, is projected to exhibit a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8% from 2025 to 2033, reaching approximately $18 billion by 2033. This growth is fueled by several key factors. Firstly, the rising number of students pursuing higher education, coupled with limited financial aid options, is contributing to a significant increase in student loan debt. Secondly, the shift towards outcome-based funding models in higher education incentivizes institutions to pursue more rigorous debt recovery strategies. Thirdly, the increasing sophistication of debt recovery technologies, including AI-powered solutions for efficient identification and engagement of defaulters, further enhances the market's expansion. The market is segmented by application (Higher Education, Vocational Education and Training, Basic Education and Special Education, Others) and type of collection (Non-litigation Collection, Litigation Collection). North America currently holds the largest market share due to its high student loan debt levels and established debt recovery infrastructure, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. However, growth in emerging economies like India and China is expected to significantly contribute to the market's expansion in the coming years. Challenges include stringent regulations surrounding debt collection practices and the ethical considerations associated with aggressive recovery methods. Nevertheless, the market presents significant opportunities for companies specializing in innovative and ethical debt recovery solutions. The competitive landscape is characterized by a mix of large multinational corporations and smaller specialized firms. Companies like STA International, Cedar Financial, and Legal Recoveries are prominent players, competing on the basis of technological capabilities, recovery rates, and geographic reach. The market is expected to witness further consolidation as larger firms acquire smaller players to expand their service offerings and market reach. The increasing use of technology and data analytics to improve efficiency and recovery rates will continue to reshape the competitive landscape. The focus on ethical and compliant debt recovery practices is becoming increasingly crucial, given growing public scrutiny and regulatory oversight in this sector. Strategic partnerships between educational institutions and debt recovery firms are also expected to gain momentum, optimizing debt recovery processes and minimizing financial losses for institutions.

As of the last quarter of 2022, Alaska and Hawaii were the states in the U.S. with the highest credit card debt. While the average credit card debt in Alaska amounted to 4,430 U.S. dollars, people from Mississippi only had on average 2,450 U.S. dollars of credit card debt.

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 Q1 2025 about domestic offices, delinquencies, 1-unit structures, mortgage, family, residential, commercial, domestic, banks, depository institutions, rate, and USA.

This statistic shows the national debt of Greece from 2020 to 2023, with projections until 2030. In 2023, the national debt in Greece was around 420.4 billion U.S. dollars. In a ranking of debt to GDP per country, Greece is currently ranked third. Greece's struggle after the financial crisis Greece is a developed country in the EU and is highly dependent on its service sector as well as its tourism sector in order to gain profits. After going through a large economic boom from the 1950s to the 1970s as well as somewhat high GDP growth in the early to mid 2000s, Greece’s economy took a turn for the worse and struggled intensively, primarily due to the Great Recession, the Euro crisis as well as its own debt crisis. National debt within the country saw significant gains over the past decades, however roughly came to a halt due to financial rescue packages issued from the European Union in order to help Greece maintain and improve their economical situation. The nation’s continuous rise in debt has overwhelmed its estimated GDP over the years, which can be attributed to poor government execution and unnecessary spending. Large sums of financial aid were taken from major European banks to help balance out these government-induced failures and to potentially help refuel the economy to encourage more spending, which in turn would decrease the country’s continuously rising unemployment rate. Investors, consumers and workers alike are struggling to see a bright future in Greece, whose chances of an economic comeback are much lower than that of other struggling countries such as Portugal and Italy. However, Greece's financial situation might improve in the future, as it is estimated that at least its national debt will decrease - slowly, but steadily. Still, since its future participation in the European Union is in limbo as of now, these figures can only be estimates, not predictions.

The Collateralized Debt Obligation (CDO) market, valued at $174.07 billion in 2025, is projected for significant growth over the forecast period of 2025-2033. While the exact CAGR is not provided, considering the historical performance of similar asset-backed securities and current market conditions, a conservative estimate of a 5-7% annual growth rate seems plausible. This growth is driven by several factors. Increasing demand for diversified investment opportunities among asset management and fund companies fuels the expansion of the CLO segment, the largest within the CDO market. Furthermore, evolving regulatory frameworks and advancements in structured finance techniques are fostering innovation in CDO structures, particularly in CSOs and SFCDOs, which cater to risk-averse investors. Geographic expansion is also a major driver, with markets in Asia-Pacific, particularly China and India, poised for considerable growth given their expanding financial markets and increasing institutional investor participation. However, potential restraints include macroeconomic instability and fluctuations in interest rates, which can negatively impact the performance of underlying assets within CDOs. The risk of default on the underlying debt instruments remains a major concern, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Consequently, careful due diligence and robust risk management remain essential for investors and issuers alike. Despite the inherent risks, the CDO market's resilience is highlighted by the continued involvement of major financial institutions such as Citigroup, J.P. Morgan, and Goldman Sachs. Their expertise and established infrastructure provide stability to the market. The segmentation of CDOs into various types – CLOs, CBOs, CSOs, and SFCDOs – allows for tailored risk profiles, catering to the diverse needs of investors seeking different risk-return trade-offs. This diversification and continued innovation within the structure of CDOs is expected to mitigate some of the risks and fuel consistent growth, particularly within the asset management and fund company application segments, ultimately solidifying the CDO market's position in the global financial landscape.

View data of the effective yield of an index of non-investment grade publically issued corporate debt in the U.S.

This data represents the semi-annual yield to worst of the ICE BofA US Corporate Index, which tracks the performance of US dollar denominated investment grade rated corporate debt publicly issued in the US domestic market. To qualify for inclusion in the index, securities must have an investment grade rating (based on an average of Moody's, S&P, and Fitch) and an investment grade rated country of risk (based on an average of Moody's, S&P, and Fitch foreign currency long term sovereign debt ratings). Each security must have greater than 1 year of remaining maturity, a fixed coupon schedule, and a minimum amount outstanding of $250 million. Original issue zero coupon bonds, "global" securities (debt issued simultaneously in the eurobond and US domestic bond markets), 144a securities and pay-in-kind securities, including toggle notes, qualify for inclusion in the Index. Callable perpetual securities qualify provided they are at least one year from the first call date. Fixed-to-floating rate securities also qualify provided they are callable within the fixed rate period and are at least one year from the last call prior to the date the bond transitions from a fixed to a floating rate security. DRD-eligible and defaulted securities are excluded from the Index.

ICE BofA Explains the Construction Methodology of this series as:

Index constituents are capitalization-weighted based on their current amount outstanding. With the exception of U.S. mortgage pass-throughs and U.S. structured products (ABS, CMBS and CMOs), accrued interest is calculated assuming next-day settlement. Accrued interest for U.S. mortgage pass-through and U.S. structured products is calculated assuming same-day settlement. Cash flows from bond payments that are received during the month are retained in the index until the end of the month and then are removed as part of the rebalancing. Cash does not earn any reinvestment income while it is held in the Index. The Index is rebalanced on the last calendar day of the month, based on information available up to and including the third business day before the last business day of the month. Issues that meet the qualifying criteria are included in the Index for the following month. Issues that no longer meet the criteria during the course of the month remain in the Index until the next month-end rebalancing at which point they are removed from the Index.

When the last calendar day of the month takes place on the weekend, weekend observations will occur as a result of month ending accrued interest adjustments.

Yield to worst is the lowest potential yield that a bond can generate without the issuer defaulting. The standard US convention for this series is to use semi-annual coupon payments, whereas the standard in the foreign markets is to use coupon payments with frequencies of annual, semi-annual, quarterly, and monthly.

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Graph and download economic data for Delinquency Rate on Commercial Real Estate Loans (Excluding Farmland), Booked in Domestic Offices, All Commercial Banks (DRCRELEXFACBS) from Q1 1991 to Q1 2025 about farmland, domestic offices, delinquencies, real estate, commercial, domestic, loans, banks, depository institutions, rate, and USA.

In 2022, the student loan default rate in the United States was highest for Black borrowers, at 34.4 percent. In comparison, Asian borrowers were least likely to default on their student loans.

The generation X was the group of people with the highest average credit card balance in the United States in 2023. That year, the average credit card debt of the generation Z amounted to approximately 3,260 U.S. dollars. People in the silent generation had a credit card balance of roughly 3,410 U.S. dollars.

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Micro Lending Market Size 2025-2029

The micro lending market size is forecast to increase by USD 532.1 billion at a CAGR of 28.1% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing adoption of advanced technology in microfinancing. This technological evolution is enabling financial institutions to expand their reach and provide more accessible and efficient services to a larger population, particularly in developing nations. However, despite this progress, there remains a substantial untapped market due to the lack of awareness about financial services in certain regions. This presents both opportunities and challenges for market participants. On the one hand, there is a vast potential customer base waiting to be served, offering significant growth prospects. On the other hand, there are complexities in reaching and serving these customers effectively, requiring innovative solutions and strategic partnerships.
One major trend is the adoption of advanced technology in microfinancing, enabling faster and more efficient loan processing and underwriting. This technology includes mobile applications, biometric identification, and artificial intelligence. Another trend is the increasing adoption of micro lending in developing nations, where access to traditional banking services is limited. Companies seeking to capitalize on this market opportunity must navigate these challenges with agility and a deep knowledge of local market dynamics. By leveraging technology, building strong partnerships, and addressing the unique needs of the market, businesses can effectively serve this growing customer base and differentiate themselves in a competitive landscape.

What will be the Size of the Micro Lending Market during the forecast period?

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The market continues to gain momentum as a critical component of global financial inclusion efforts. This market encompasses various financial inclusion strategies, including digital financial inclusion, loan disbursement through fintech platforms, and microfinance trends that prioritize responsible lending and sustainable finance. Financial inclusion policies have driven market growth, enabling greater financial resilience and empowerment for individuals and communities. Despite the market's progress, challenges persist, such as loan default, financial literacy programs, and debt management. Impact measurement, social impact reporting, and financial inclusion metrics are essential for assessing the market's success and addressing these challenges. Regulations and best practices play a crucial role in ensuring microfinance remains an effective solution for inclusive finance.
Borrowers, often from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, use these loans for various purposes, including starting small businesses in retail, food services, handicrafts, livestock rearing, transportation, recycling, and health services. Micro lending plays a crucial role in addressing income inequality by providing access to financial services for those excluded from the formal banking sector. Collateral is usually not required for these loans, making them more accessible than traditional loans. Financial inclusion initiatives have seen significant investment opportunities, with fintech startups and alternative data sources driving innovation. The market's future direction lies in data-driven lending, financial inclusion frameworks, and inclusive finance that caters to the unique needs of microenterprises and their development. Overall, the market's continued growth and evolution reflect its vital role in fostering financial inclusion and promoting economic prosperity.

How is this Micro Lending Industry segmented?

The micro lending industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Source

  Banks
  NBFCs
  MFIs


End-user

  Small enterprises
  Solo entrepreneurs
  Micro-entrepreneurs


Geography

  APAC

    Australia
    China
    India
    Japan
    South Korea


  Europe

    Germany
    UK


  North America

    US


  Middle East and Africa



  South America

    Brazil

By Source Insights

The banks segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Micro lending banks provide financial services, such as loans, savings accounts, and insurances, to individuals with limited income. Established by various entities, including individuals, community organizations, private corporations, and foreign investors, these banks focus on economically disadvantaged clients, low-income households, and unbanked populations, including marginalized groups like women, youth, disabled individuals, and informal sector operators, such as micro-entrepreneurs

Following the drastic increase directly after the COVID-19 pandemic, the delinquency rate started to gradually decline, falling below *** percent in the second quarter of 2023. In the second half of 2023, the delinquency rate picked up, but remained stable throughout 2024. In the first quarter of 2025, **** percent of mortgage loans were delinquent. That was significantly lower than the **** percent during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 or the peak of *** percent during the subprime mortgage crisis of 2007-2010. What does the mortgage delinquency rate tell us? The mortgage delinquency rate is the share of the total number of mortgaged home loans in the U.S. where payment is overdue by 30 days or more. Many borrowers eventually manage to service their loan, though, as indicated by the markedly lower foreclosure rates. Total home mortgage debt in the U.S. stood at almost ** trillion U.S. dollars in 2024. Not all mortgage loans are made equal ‘Subprime’ loans, being targeted at high-risk borrowers and generally coupled with higher interest rates to compensate for the risk. These loans have far higher delinquency rates than conventional loans. Defaulting on such loans was one of the triggers for the 2007-2010 financial crisis, with subprime delinquency rates reaching almost ** percent around this time. These higher delinquency rates translate into higher foreclosure rates, which peaked at just under ** percent of all subprime mortgages in 2011.