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.

Debt Balance Credit Cards in the United States increased to 1.23 Trillion USD in the third quarter of 2025 from 1.21 Trillion USD in the second quarter of 2025. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for the United States Debt Balance Credit Cards.

The average credit card purchase value in the United Kingdom was over ***British pounds as of August 2025. This was slightly lower than in the same month of the previous year and lower than in January 2023, when it reached an all-time high, with each individual credit card transaction averaging **** British pounds. This contrasted with April 2020, when coronavirus measures caused the average credit card value to decline. However, the total credit card debt in the UK in June 2025 grew almost six percent year-on-year.

Key information about United States Household Debt

• United States Household Debt reached 18,585.0 USD bn in Sep 2025, compared with the reported number of 18,388.0 USD bn in the previous quarter
• US Household Debt: USD mn data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1999 to Sep 2025
• The data reached an all-time high of 18,585.0 USD bn in Sep 2025 and a record low of 4,540.0 USD bn in Mar 1999

• In the latest reports, United States Household Debt accounted for 61.4 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Jun 2025
• Money Supply M2 in United States increased 22,298.1 USD bn YoY in Oct 2025
• United States Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 38.3 USD bn in Oct 2025
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 0.1 Months of Import in Aug 2025
• United States Domestic Credit reached 31,813.3 USD bn in Mar 2025, representing an increased of 4.0 % YoY

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Loans: Credit Cards and Other Revolving Plans, All Commercial Banks (CCLACBW027SBOG) from 2000-06-28 to 2025-11-19 about revolving, credit cards, loans, consumer, banks, depository institutions, and USA.

Commercial bank interest rates on credit card plans in the United States were over *** percent higher in early 2025 than in the same period in 2022. In February 2025, the interest amount on credit card plans amounted to ***** percent. Alongside this development, the overall amount of credit card debt in the U.S. reached an all-time high in Q4 2023. Credit cards are considered one of the most common ways to pay in the United States, so potential changes on credit card debt are closely tied to both the inflation figure and central bank interest rate of the country.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks (DRCCLACBS) from Q1 1991 to Q3 2025 about credit cards, delinquencies, commercial, loans, banks, depository institutions, rate, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Household Debt Service Payments as a Percent of Disposable Personal Income (TDSP) from Q1 1980 to Q2 2025 about disposable, payments, personal income, debt, percent, households, personal, income, services, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Commercial Bank Interest Rate on Credit Card Plans, All Accounts (TERMCBCCALLNS) from Nov 1994 to Aug 2025 about credit cards, consumer credit, loans, consumer, interest rate, banks, depository institutions, interest, rate, and USA.

While interest rates in the United States declined ***** times by late 2024, average credit card interest rates did not immediately follow suit. This reveals itself when comparing the Federal Reserve interest rate against the APR, or annual percentage rates, of credit cards issued by commercial banks. The APR reached a record high in the country in 2024, likely adding to the growing credit card debt in the United States. This was below the APR of credit cards in a country like Brazil, however. It is expected that the credit card interest rates will continue to need time to catch up with the Fed interest rate.

. The People's Bank of China provides Household Debt in local currency. The Federal Reserve Board period end market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Loans are used due to the lack of Flow of Funds statistics.


Further information about China Household Debt

• In the latest reports, China Household Debt accounted for 60.4 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Sep 2025
• Money Supply M2 in China increased 44,251.0 USD bn YoY in Mar 2025
• China Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 3,343.3 USD bn in Oct 2025
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 15.5 Months of Import in Oct 2025
• China Domestic Credit reached 52,818.4 USD bn in Oct 2025, representing an increased of 7.9 % YoY

Key information about Russia Household Debt

• Russia Household Debt reached 395.3 USD bn in Jan 2025, compared with the reported number of 382.7 USD bn in the previous month
• Russia Household Debt: USD mn data is updated monthly, available from Dec 2000 to Jan 2025
• The data reached an all-time high of 525.1 USD bn in Jun 2022 and a record low of 1.7 USD bn in Dec 2000

• In the latest reports, Russia Household Debt accounted for 20.4 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Mar 2024
• Money Supply M2 in Russia increased 1,189.6 USD bn YoY in Jan 2025
• Russia Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 386.4 USD bn in Jan 2025
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 14.9 Months of Import in Oct 2024
• Russia Domestic Credit reached 1,404.0 USD bn in Dec 2024, representing an increased of 19.6 % YoY

Graph and download economic data for Charge-Off Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks (CORCCACBN) from Q1 1985 to Q3 2025 about charge-offs, credit cards, commercial, loans, banks, depository institutions, rate, and USA.

Delinquency rates for credit cards picked up in 2025 in the United States, leading to the highest rates observed since 2008. This is according to a collection of one of the United States' federal banks across all commercial banks. The high delinquency rates were joined by the highest U.S. credit card charge-off rates since the Financial Crisis of 2008. Delinquency rates, or the share of credit card loans overdue a payment for more than ** days, can sometimes lead into charge-off, or a writing off the loan, after about six to 12 months. These figures on the share of credit card balances that are overdue developed significantly between 2021 and 2025: Delinquencies were at their lowest point in 2021 but increased to one of their highest points by 2025. This is reflected in the growing credit card debt in the United States, which reached an all-time high in 2023. As of Q2 2025, the delinquency rate stands at 3.05%.

Key information about Mexico Household Debt

• Mexico Household Debt reached 311.6 USD bn in Jun 2025, compared with the reported number of 282.0 USD bn in the previous quarter
• Mexico Household Debt: USD mn data is updated quarterly, available from Dec 2000 to Jun 2025
• The data reached an all-time high of 320.4 USD bn in Mar 2024 and a record low of 53.5 USD bn in Dec 2000

• In the latest reports, Mexico Household Debt accounted for 17.0 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Jun 2025
• Money Supply M2 in Mexico increased 862.8 USD bn YoY in Oct 2025
• Mexico Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 222.0 USD bn in Oct 2025
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 3.4 Months of Import in Oct 2025
• Mexico Domestic Credit reached 850.5 USD bn in Sep 2025, representing an increased of 6.8 % YoY

This dataset provides values for HOUSEHOLDS DEBT TO INCOME reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

Key information about European Union Household Debt

• European Union Household Debt reached 7,877.1 USD bn in Oct 2025, compared with the reported number of 7,998.9 USD bn in the previous month
• EU Household Debt: USD mn data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1999 to Oct 2025
• The data reached an all-time high of 7,998.9 USD bn in Sep 2025 and a record low of 2,500.5 USD bn in Oct 2000

• In the latest reports, European Union Household Debt accounted for 50.9 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Jun 2025
• Money Supply M2 in European Union increased 18,352.1 USD bn YoY in Oct 2025
• European Union Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 322.0 USD bn in Oct 2025
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 1.2 Months of Import in Sep 2025
• European Union Domestic Credit reached 24,974.9 USD bn in Feb 2025, representing an increased of 1.6 % YoY

Households Debt in Canada decreased to 99.58 percent of GDP in the first quarter of 2025 from 100.39 percent of GDP in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - Canada Households Debt To Gdp- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.