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.

The generation X was the group of people with the highest average credit card balance in the United States in the 3rd quarter 2024. That year, the average credit card debt of the generation Z amounted to approximately ***** U.S. dollars. People in the silent generation had a credit card balance of roughly ***** U.S. dollars.

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

Federal Reserve Board of New York provides quarterly Household Debt in USD. Household Debt includes Mortgages, Home Equity Revolving, Auto Loans, Bankcards, Student Loans and Others.


Further information about United States Household Debt

• 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

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Loans: Credit Cards and Other Revolving Plans, All Commercial Banks (CCLACBW027SBOG) from 2000-06-28 to 2025-06-18 about revolving, credit cards, loans, consumer, banks, depository institutions, and USA.

As of the fourth quarter of 2024, 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 ***** U.S. dollars, people from Mississippi only had on average ***** U.S. dollars of credit card debt.

While interest rates in the United States declined three 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 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.

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 Q1 2025 about credit cards, delinquencies, commercial, loans, banks, depository institutions, rate, and USA.

Key information about United States Household Debt: % of GDP

• United States household debt accounted for 61.7 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Dec 2024, compared with the ratio of 62.3 % in the previous quarter.
• US household debt to GDP ratio is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1999 to Dec 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 85.8 % in Dec 2008 and a record low of 49.4 % in Mar 1999.

CEIC calculates quarterly Household Debt as % of Nominal GDP from quarterly Household Debt and quarterly Nominal GDP. Federal Reserve Board of New York provides Household Debt in USD. The Bureau of Economic Analysis provides Nominal GDP in USD. Household Debt includes Mortgages, Home Equity Revolving, Auto Loans, Bankcards, Student Loans and Others.


Related information about United States Household Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, US Household Debt reached 18,036.0 USD bn in Dec 2024.
• Money Supply M2 in US increased 3.9 % YoY in Jan 2025.
• US 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.
• US Domestic Credit reached 30,648.3 USD bn in Mar 2024, representing an drop of 0.3 % YoY.
• The country's Non Performing Loans Ratio stood at 1.7 % in Dec 2024, compared with the ratio of 1.5 % in the previous quarter.

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

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 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.

Key information about China Household Debt

• China Household Debt reached 11,498.4 USD bn in Jan 2025, compared with the reported number of 11,347.6 USD bn in the previous month
• China Household Debt: USD mn data is updated monthly, available from Jan 2007 to Jan 2025
• The data reached an all-time high of 11,691.0 USD bn in Sep 2024 and a record low of 517.7 USD bn in Jan 2007

CEIC converts monthly Household Debt into USD. 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 63.3 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Mar 2023
• Money Supply M2 in China increased 44,045.8 USD bn YoY in Sep 2024
• China Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 3,209.0 USD bn in Jan 2025
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 13.9 Months of Import in Dec 2024
• China Domestic Credit reached 49,338.1 USD bn in Jan 2025, representing an increased of 7.9 % YoY

Key information about Italy Household Debt

• Italy Household Debt reached 1,145.1 USD bn in Sep 2024, compared with the reported number of 1,099.6 USD bn in the previous quarter
• Italy Household Debt: USD mn data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1995 to Sep 2024
• The data reached an all-time high of 1,326.6 USD bn in Jun 2011 and a record low of 277.4 USD bn in Mar 1995

CEIC converts quarterly Household Debt into USD. The Bank of Italy provides Household Debt in EUR. The Federal Reserve Board period end market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Household Debt includes NPISH.


Further information about Italy Household Debt

• In the latest reports, Italy Household Debt accounted for 48.0 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Sep 2024
• Money Supply M2 in Italy increased 2,268.4 USD bn YoY in Nov 2024
• Italy Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 51.6 USD bn in Dec 2024
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 0.9 Months of Import in Oct 2024
• Italy Domestic Credit reached 3,386.4 USD bn in Oct 2024, representing an increased of 2.9 % YoY

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

Key information about Mexico Household Debt

• Mexico Household Debt reached 271.8 USD bn in Dec 2024, compared with the reported number of 280.8 USD bn in the previous quarter
• Mexico Household Debt: USD mn data is updated quarterly, available from Dec 2000 to Dec 2024
• 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

CEIC converts quarterly Household Debt into USD. The Bank of Mexico provides Household Debt in local currency. The Federal Reserve Board period end market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Household Debt includes Mortgages and Consumer Loans.


Further information about Mexico Household Debt

• In the latest reports, Mexico Household Debt accounted for 16.7 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Dec 2024
• Money Supply M2 in Mexico increased 707.1 USD bn YoY in May 2023
• Mexico Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 211.3 USD bn in Jan 2025
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 4.3 Months of Import in Jan 2025
• Mexico Domestic Credit reached 732.4 USD bn in Dec 2024, representing an increased of 14.8 % YoY

Commercial bank interest rates on credit card plans in the United States were over six percent higher in early 2025 than in the same period in 2022. In February 2025, the interest amount on credit card plans amounted to 21.37 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.

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

Key information about Canada Household Debt

• Canada Household Debt reached 2,110.9 USD bn in Dec 2024, compared with the reported number of 2,161.8 USD bn in the previous month
• Canada Household Debt: USD mn data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1969 to Dec 2024
• The data reached an all-time high of 2,225.1 USD bn in Sep 2024 and a record low of 22.2 USD bn in Jan 1969

CEIC converts monthly Household Debt into USD. Statistics Canada 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. Household Debt prior to January 1990 is sourced from the Bank of Canada.


Further information about Canada Household Debt

• In the latest reports, Canada Household Debt accounted for 99.2 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Sep 2024
• Money Supply M2 in Canada increased 1,873.3 USD bn YoY in Nov 2024
• Canada Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 90.2 USD bn in Jan 2025
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 2.0 Months of Import in Dec 2024
• Canada Domestic Credit reached 4,647.3 USD bn in Nov 2024, representing an increased of 3.9 % YoY