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 Consumer Loans: Credit Cards and Other Revolving Plans, All Commercial Banks (CCLACBW027SBOG) from 2000-06-28 to 2025-06-25 about revolving, credit cards, loans, consumer, banks, depository institutions, and USA.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

• 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

The average amount of non-mortgage debt held by consumers in the United States has been falling steadily during the past years, amounting to ****** U.S. dollars in 2023. While respondents had ****** U.S. dollars of debt in 2018, that volume decreased to ****** U.S. dollars in 2019, which constituted the largest year-over-year decrease.What age groups are more indebted in the U.S.?The age group with the highest level of consumer debt in the U.S. was belonging to the Generation X with approximately ******* U.S. dollars of debt in 2022. The next generations with high consumer debt levels were baby boomers and millennials, whose debt levels were similar. In comparison, credit card debt is more equally distributed across all ages. There is an exception among people under 35 years old, who are significantly less burdened with credit card debt. However, most consumers expect to get rid of their debt in the short term. College expenses as a source of debtEducational expenses were not among the leading sources of debt among consumers in the U.S. in 2022. Instead, they made up about ** percent of the total. However, around ** percent of undergraduates from lower-income families had student loans, while over a fifth of undergraduates from higher-income families had student loans. Independently of how they cover these expenses, the confidence of students and parents about being able to pay these college costs was high in most cases.

Consumer Credit in the United States increased to 17.87 USD Billion in April from 8.60 USD Billion in March of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Consumer Credit Change - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Graph and download economic data for Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized (TOTALSL) from Jan 1943 to Apr 2025 about securitized, owned, consumer credit, loans, consumer, and USA.

Households Debt in the United States decreased to 69.20 percent of GDP in the fourth quarter of 2024 from 70.50 percent of GDP in the third quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - United States Households Debt To Gdp- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Total credit card debt in the UK grew by **** billion British pounds between October and November 2023, now reaching a similar level of debt as seen in early 2017. The annual growth rate of credit card debt stayed about the same in March 2025, reaching *** percent when compared to March 2024. The growth rate in 2023 has been relatively consistently since May, which may potentially be attributed to growing interest rates and the cost of living crisis.

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.

The consumer debt settlement market is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing consumer debt levels globally and a rising awareness of debt relief solutions. The market's expansion is fueled by several factors, including the rising prevalence of unsecured debt like credit card and personal loans, economic downturns impacting individual financial stability, and the increasing availability of debt settlement services through both online platforms and traditional financial advisory firms. The segment encompassing open-end loans (like credit cards) and closed-end loans (like personal loans) constitutes a significant portion of the market, reflecting the widespread nature of consumer debt. Within these segments, credit card debt relief remains a dominant area, given the high interest rates and often overwhelming balances associated with these products. Medical and private student loan debt settlement are also exhibiting significant growth, driven by escalating healthcare costs and rising tuition fees respectively. Competition among companies like Freedom Debt Relief, National Debt Relief, and others is intense, leading to innovative service offerings and increased consumer choice. This competition, however, also presents a challenge in terms of maintaining profit margins and ensuring ethical practices within the industry. Regional variations exist, with North America and Europe currently leading the market, but developing economies in Asia-Pacific are poised for substantial growth as consumer credit markets mature. The forecast period (2025-2033) anticipates continued market expansion, although the rate of growth might slightly moderate compared to the historical period (2019-2024) as the market matures. Factors potentially influencing this moderate growth include increased regulatory scrutiny of debt settlement companies, the potential for economic recovery in certain regions leading to reduced consumer need for debt relief, and ongoing efforts to educate consumers about alternative debt management strategies. Despite these factors, the long-term outlook remains positive, driven by the persistent issue of consumer debt and the ongoing need for professional debt resolution services. Further segmentation by loan type and the emergence of new technological solutions for debt management are expected to shape the market landscape in the coming years.

This report analyses the ratio of credit card debt to discretionary income. Credit card debt covers all personal advances on credit and charge cards, both interest-bearing and non-interest bearing, that are outstanding. Discretionary income is the amount of income remaining after deducting necessary household expenses and can be used to repay debt. The data for this report is sourced from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Te Putea Matua) and Statistics New Zealand (Tatauranga Aotearoa). The data is presented as credit card debt as a percentage of discretionary income for each financial year.

Graph and download economic data for Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized (REVOLSL) from Jan 1968 to Apr 2025 about securitized, owned, revolving, consumer credit, loans, consumer, and USA.

The table shows the level of bank credit to households (both mortgage credit and consumer credit) around the world including the most recent value and recent changes. The numbers are in billion local currency units and are updated continuously as the national authorities release the new data. Household credit carries benefits and risks to the economy. On the positive side, it allows households to purchase real estate, cars, and other items by spreading the cost over time. This makes household consumption more even over time and not so dependent on fluctuations in incomes. On the negative side, many financial crises are associated with a massive build up in household credit. Easy money pushes up property values and raises the debt levels. Then, an increase in interest rates or a drop in incomes can put significant strain on the household budgets. Households cut their spending in order to deleverage (reduce their debt) and the economy enters a recession. Household credit is now a major component of bank credit in the advanced economies and is rapidly catching up with the levels of business credit in the developing world.

As of the third quarter of 2024, the levels of debt from consumer lending in the United States amounted to over five trillion U.S. dollars. The consumer credit debt of households and nonprofit organizations increased steadily in the last decade. Throughout that period, the outstanding consumer credit in the U.S. has also been growing.

Consumer and Corporate Debt Consolidation Market Outlook

The consumer and corporate debt consolidation market size is projected to grow from USD 2.1 trillion in 2023 to approximately USD 2.7 trillion by 2032, driven by an estimated Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.9%. This growth is underpinned by factors such as increasing consumer debt levels, and a heightened awareness of financial management strategies. The growing trend among both individuals and businesses to consolidate multiple debts into a single loan has spurred significant interest and investment in this market. This is further accentuated by the increasing number of financial institutions offering tailored debt consolidation services, thus enhancing market dynamics.

One major growth factor in the consumer and corporate debt consolidation market is the rising levels of consumer debt worldwide. This encompasses credit card debts, personal loans, and other forms of consumer credit that have been steadily increasing, fueled by consumer spending and economic cycles. As individuals accumulate various debts, there's a growing need for effective financial management solutions to streamline payments and reduce interest burdens. Debt consolidation serves as an attractive option by amalgamating multiple debt obligations into a singular loan with more favorable terms. This is particularly appealing in developed regions where credit card usage is widespread, and individuals seek to manage their debt more efficiently.

The concept of Consumer Credit plays a pivotal role in the debt consolidation market. It refers to the credit extended to individuals for personal, family, or household purposes, and is a significant component of consumer debt. As consumer credit levels rise, individuals often find themselves juggling multiple credit obligations, including credit card balances, personal loans, and retail financing. This complexity can lead to financial strain, making debt consolidation an attractive option. By consolidating consumer credit into a single loan with potentially lower interest rates, individuals can simplify their financial landscape and focus on managing a single monthly payment. This not only aids in reducing the overall interest burden but also helps in improving credit scores over time, as individuals are better able to meet their financial commitments.

Corporate debt consolidation is also a substantial driver of market growth, particularly as businesses attempt to optimize their balance sheets and manage cash flows more effectively. The post-pandemic era has seen a number of businesses grappling with multiple lines of credit and loans, leading to increased interest in consolidation solutions. These strategies allow businesses to convert high-interest debt into lower-cost financing, thereby freeing up capital for operational needs and growth initiatives. Moreover, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly seeking such financial interventions to stabilize their finances, thus contributing to market expansion.

Another key growth factor is the technological advancements in financial services which have facilitated easier access to debt consolidation services. The integration of digital platforms has transformed how debt consolidation services are offered, making them more accessible to a broader audience. Online platforms allow users to easily compare different loan options, understand the terms, and even apply for consolidation loans without the need for physical visits to financial institutions. This technological integration not only streamlines the process for consumers but also expands the reach of service providers, thus driving market penetration across diverse demographics.

Regionally, North America holds a significant share of the debt consolidation market, owing to the high levels of consumer debt and the presence of well-established financial institutions. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period, driven by the rising middle-class population and increasing consumer credit demands. The debt consolidation market in Europe is also showing promising trends, as more individuals and corporates seek to simplify their financial obligations in the face of economic uncertainties. Meanwhile, regions such as Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are increasingly adopting these financial strategies, albeit at a slower pace compared to more developed regions.

Type Analysis

The consumer and corporate debt consolidat