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.

Credit card debt in the United States has been growing at a fast pace between 2021 and 2024. 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 927 billion U.S. dollars in the last quarter of 2019 to 770 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 2024. That year, the penetration rate of credit cards in the United States was 67 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 2023, 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.

Debt Balance Credit Cards in the United States decreased to 1.18 Trillion USD in the first quarter of 2025 from 1.21 Trillion USD in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for the United States Debt Balance Credit Cards.

This statistic presents the average credit card debt of Americans in 2017, by income. In that year, the credit card debt of Americans who earned more than 160 thousand U.S. dollars amounted to 11,200 U.S. dollars.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Loans: Credit Cards and Other Revolving Plans, All Commercial Banks (CCLACBW027SBOG) from 2000-06-28 to 2025-05-28 about revolving, credit cards, loans, consumer, banks, depository institutions, and USA.

Introduction

Credit Card Statistics: A credit card is a widely used financial tool that allows consumers to make purchases or withdraw cash on credit, accruing debt to be repaid later. As of Q4 2024, Americans held approximately USD 1.21 trillion in credit card debt, marking a 4% increase from the previous year. The average credit card balance per consumer reached USD 6,730, up by 3.5% from 2023.

In the same period, the number of credit card accounts in the U.S. rose to about 617 million. Globally, Visa and Mastercard have approximately 1.3 billion and 1.1 billion credit cards in circulation, respectively. Credit cards accounted for 32% of all payment transactions in 2023, reflecting their significant role in consumer spending. However, 22% of credit card users make only minimum payments, indicating potential financial strain. Additionally, credit card delinquency rates rose to 3.6% in Q4 2024, highlighting challenges in debt repayment. These statistics underscore the importance of responsible credit card usage and financial management.

Credit cards also allow customers to build a debt balance that is related to the interest being charged. Let’s shed more light on “Credit Card Statistics†through this article.

This statistic presents the credit card debt outstanding in the United States from 2000 to 2010 and a forecast thereof for 2018, by credit card type. The credit card debt outstanding on Visa credit cards amounted to approximately 332 billion U.S. dollars in 2010 and it was projected to increase to 471 billion U.S. dollars in 2018.

Debt Card Transaction: Quarterly: Value data was reported at 259.930 BRL bn in Dec 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 241.933 BRL bn for Sep 2024. Debt Card Transaction: Quarterly: Value data is updated quarterly, averaging 236.143 BRL bn from Mar 2019 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 24 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 264.121 BRL bn in Dec 2022 and a record low of 151.765 BRL bn in Mar 2019. Debt Card Transaction: Quarterly: Value data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bank of Brazil. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Brazil – Table BR.KAA001: Credit Card Statistics.

Graph and download economic data for Large Bank Consumer Credit Card Balances: 30 or More Days Past Due Rates: Accounts Based (RCCCBACTDPD30P) from Q3 2012 to Q4 2024 about 30 days +, accounts, FR Y-14M, consumer credit, credit cards, large, balance, loans, consumer, banks, depository institutions, rate, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Large Bank Consumer Credit Card Balances: Current Credit Score: 50th Percentile (RCCCBSCOREPCT50) from Q3 2012 to Q4 2024 about score, FR Y-14M, consumer credit, credit cards, large, percentile, balance, credits, loans, consumer, banks, depository institutions, and USA.

Key information about United States Household Debt

• United States Household Debt reached 18,036.0 USD bn in Dec 2024, compared with the reported number of 17,943.0 USD bn in the previous quarter
• US Household Debt: USD mn data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1999 to Dec 2024
• The data reached an all-time high of 18,036.0 USD bn in Dec 2024 and a record low of 4,540.0 USD bn in Mar 1999

• In the latest reports, United States Household Debt accounted for 61.7 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Dec 2024
• Money Supply M2 in United States increased 21,533.8 USD bn YoY in Dec 2024
• United States Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 34.9 USD bn in Dec 2024
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 0.1 Months of Import in Dec 2024
• United States Domestic Credit reached 30,648.3 USD bn in Mar 2024, representing an drop of 0.3 % YoY

Credit Cards: Current Balance data was reported at 258,098,735.910 USD in Apr 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 327,686,857.510 USD for Mar 2019. Credit Cards: Current Balance data is updated monthly, averaging 290,452,246.410 USD from Jan 2015 (Median) to Apr 2019, with 52 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 327,686,857.510 USD in Mar 2019 and a record low of 229,278,379.570 USD in Mar 2015. Credit Cards: Current Balance data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Superintendence of Banks. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ecuador – Table EC.KA011: Credit Cards Statistics.

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.

The tables and interactive maps below allow users to explore the ratio of debt to income by state, metropolitan statistical area, and county for each year since 1999. Household debt is calculated from Federal Reserve Bank of New York (FRBNY) Consumer Credit Panel/Equifax Data, and household income is reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Comoros: Credit card debt balance per capita, U.S. dollars: The latest value from is U.S. dollars, unavailable from U.S. dollars in . In comparison, the world average is 0 U.S. dollars, based on data from countries. Historically, the average for the Comoros from to is U.S. dollars. The minimum value, U.S. dollars, was reached in while the maximum of U.S. dollars was recorded in .

Singapore Credit Card: Rollover Balance data was reported at 5,573.400 SGD mn in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 5,336.500 SGD mn for Aug 2018. Singapore Credit Card: Rollover Balance data is updated monthly, averaging 2,614.400 SGD mn from Jan 1991 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 333 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5,773.200 SGD mn in Feb 2015 and a record low of 297.100 SGD mn in Jan 1991. Singapore Credit Card: Rollover Balance data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Monetary Authority of Singapore. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Singapore – Table SG.KA011: Credit Card Statistics.

Chad: Credit card debt balance per capita, U.S. dollars: The latest value from is U.S. dollars, unavailable from U.S. dollars in . In comparison, the world average is 0 U.S. dollars, based on data from countries. Historically, the average for Chad from to is U.S. dollars. The minimum value, U.S. dollars, was reached in while the maximum of U.S. dollars was recorded in .

Colombia Credit Cards: Portfolio Balance data was reported at 30,065,187.218 Unit in Mar 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 29,799,243.282 Unit for Feb 2019. Colombia Credit Cards: Portfolio Balance data is updated monthly, averaging 26,257,034.941 Unit from Jan 2015 (Median) to Mar 2019, with 51 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 30,188,159.137 Unit in Nov 2018 and a record low of 20,385,420.848 Unit in Feb 2015. Colombia Credit Cards: Portfolio Balance data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Banking and Financial Institution Association of Colombia. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Colombia – Table CO.KB018: Credit Card Statistics.

The average consumer debt balance in the United States has peaked in 2023 at roughly 104,200 U.S. dollars. However, average consumer debt had decreased between 2010 and 2013, when it reached approximately 85,500 U.S. dollars. Here, consumer debt refers to student and car loans, credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, and other types of debt.

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.