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.

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 UK's average credit card debt per household grew by 151 British pounds between December 2021 and December 2022, the first increase since 2020. Standing at 2,229 British pounds at December 2022, the figure contrasts with the decline in 2020 – when the debt declined from 2,594 British pounds to 2,083 British pounds. That particular drop was likely a result of Covid-19's economic impact, and consumers trying to get rid of their credit card debt. The increase in 2022 may be caused by growing interest rates and the cost of living crisis beginning to take shape.

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

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Debt Settlement Market Size 2024-2028

The debt settlement market size is forecast to increase by USD 5.07 billion at a CAGR of 10.3% between 2023 and 2028.

The market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing trend of consumers seeking relief from mounting credit card debts. One-time debt settlement has gained popularity as an effective solution for individuals looking to reduce their outstanding debt balances. However, the time-consuming nature of negotiations between debtors and creditors poses a challenge for market expansion. Despite this, the market's strategic landscape remains favorable for companies offering debt settlement services. Key drivers include the rising number of consumers struggling with debt, increasing awareness of debt settlement as a viable debt relief option, and the growing preference for affordable and flexible debt repayment plans.
Companies seeking to capitalize on market opportunities should focus on streamlining the negotiation process, leveraging technology to enhance customer experience, and building trust and transparency with clients. Effective operational planning and strategic partnerships with creditors can also help companies navigate the challenges of a competitive and complex market.

What will be the Size of the Debt Settlement Market during the forecast period?

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The market encompasses a range of companies offering financial wellness programs to help consumers manage and reduce their debt. These programs include medical Debt collection, consumer debt relief, and financial education resources. Online financial resources and debt management software are increasingly popular, providing consumers with affordable debt solutions and debt negotiation strategies. However, it's crucial for consumers to be aware of debt settlement scams and their settlement success rates. Debt consolidation loans and financial planning tools are also viable options for responsible debt management. Furthermore, financial literacy education and workshops are essential for consumers to understand debt reduction calculators and credit reporting errors.
Consumer financial protection agencies offer financial counseling services and financial planning advice to promote financial wellness strategies and responsible borrowing. Student loan forgiveness programs are also gaining traction in the market. Overall, the market for debt settlement and financial wellness solutions continues to evolve, with a focus on providing accessible and effective debt relief options for consumers.

How is this Debt Settlement Industry segmented?

The debt settlement industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2024-2028, as well as historical data from 2018-2022 for the following segments.

Type

  Credit card debt
  Student loan debt
  Medical debt
  Auto loan debt
  Unsecured personal loan debt
  Others


End-user

  Individual
  Enterprise
  Government


Distribution Channel

  Online
  Offline
  Hybrid


Service Type

  Debt Settlement
  Debt Consolidation
  Debt Management Plans
  Credit Counseling


Provider Type

  For-profit Debt Settlement Companies
  Non-profit Credit Counseling Agencies
  Law Firms
  Financial Institutions


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    Italy
    UK


  Middle East and Africa



  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan
    South Korea


  South America



  Rest of World (ROW)

By Type Insights

The credit card debt segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

The market experiences significant activity due to the escalating credit card debt among consumers. In India, for instance, the rising financial hardships faced by borrowers are evident in the increasing credit card defaults. The latest data indicates that credit card defaults in India reached 1.8% in June 2024, a notable increase from 1.7% six months prior and 1.6% in March 2023. This trend underscores the mounting financial pressures on consumers. The outstanding credit card debt in India mirrors this trend, with approximately USD3.25 billion in outstanding balances as of June 2024, a slight increase from the previous year.

Debt elimination and negotiation strategies, such as debt relief programs and debt consolidation, have become increasingly popular among consumers seeking financial relief. Credit reporting agencies play a crucial role in this process, as they maintain and report consumers' credit histories to lenders. Student loan debt, medical debt, tax debt, and payday loans are other significant contributors to the market. Consumers often turn to debt validation, credit repair, and financial coaching for guidance in managing their debts. Online platforms, mobile apps, and budgeting tools have become

Loans to households includes both consumer debt and mortgage loans. In February 2023, the share of delinquent household loans, excluding credit card debt, in South Korea stood at *** percent. The delinquency rate has remained stable since November 2022.

Housing data for proportion of outstanding mortgage debt, schedule payment and financial obligations by credit type can aid with your research. This adapted Equifax data is displayed geographically by Canada and selected Census Metropolitan Areas. Learn more about this debt arranged by: mortgages HELOCs lines of credit auto loans credit card debt all other credit Note: Quarterly data ranges from 2019 Q1 to 2023. Source: Source: Equifax with calculations from CMHC

Brazil 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. Brazil 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. Brazil 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.

Key information about Greece Household Debt

• Greece Household Debt reached 111.2 USD bn in Dec 2022, compared with the reported number of 107.7 USD bn in the previous quarter
• Greece Household Debt: USD mn data is updated quarterly, available from Dec 1997 to Dec 2022
• The data reached an all-time high of 223.0 USD bn in Jun 2011 and a record low of 18.5 USD bn in Mar 2000

CEIC converts quarterly Household Debt into USD. The Bank of Greece 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 Greece Household Debt

• In the latest reports, Greece Household Debt accounted for 50.0 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Dec 2022
• Money Supply M2 in Greece increased 257.6 USD bn YoY in Apr 2023
• Greece Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 4.4 USD bn in May 2023
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 0.6 Months of Import in Apr 2023
• Greece Domestic Credit reached 160.8 USD bn in Oct 2022, representing an increased of 0.4 % YoY

The number of credit card transactions in the Republic of Ireland grew to nearly 44 per capita, which equaled several millions of transactions. Up to 2022, the trend of declining credit card payments was similar to what was seen elsewhere in Europe. In the United Kingdom, for example, UK consumers started to pay off credit card debt during lockdown. Note that card figures are not as easily measured in all countries. See the "Details" tab for more information.

Clients seeking financial advice from the debt charity StepChange in the United Kingdom had on average approximately 8,000 British pounds of unsecured credit card debt in 2022. On average, the new clients of this charity owed more unsecured debt from personal loans than from any other type of credit.

In the third quarter of 2022, households in the United States had, on average, ****** U.S. dollars of mortgage debt. That was the biggest component of their personal debt burden. The value per capita of car and student loans was much lower, but still contributed more to the level of household indebtedness than credit cards or HE revolving.

Key information about Brunei Household Debt

• Brunei Household Debt reached 2.1 USD bn in Mar 2023, compared with the reported number of 2.1 USD bn in the previous quarter
• Brunei Household Debt: USD mn data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 2011 to Mar 2023
• The data reached an all-time high of 2.5 USD bn in Jun 2011 and a record low of 2.0 USD bn in Sep 2022

CEIC converts quarterly Household Debt into USD. Brunei Darussalam Central Bank provides Household Debt in local currency. The International Monetary Fund period end market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Loans are used due to the lack of Flow of Funds statistics. Household Debt includes Vehicle, Credit Card, Consumer Durables, Home Improvement - Interior Decorations etc., General Consumption and Other Personal Loans, Land Purchases and Constructions, Housing Purchase and Home Improvement (Structural, Renovation, etc.). Household Debt covers Domestic loans only.


Further information about Brunei Household Debt

• In the latest reports, Brunei Household Debt accounted for 12.2 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Dec 2022
• Money Supply M2 in Brunei increased 12.0 USD bn YoY in Mar 2023
• Brunei Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 3.3 USD bn in Mar 2023
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 4.6 Months of Import in Feb 2023
• Brunei Domestic Credit reached 3.3 USD bn in Mar 2023, representing an drop of 8.3 % YoY

Key information about United Kingdom Household Debt: % of GDP

• United Kingdom household debt accounted for 81.6 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Sep 2024, compared with the ratio of 81.8 % in the previous quarter.
• UK household debt to GDP ratio is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1987 to Sep 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 108.5 % in Mar 2010 and a record low of 55.6 % in Mar 1987.

CEIC calculates quarterly Household Debt as % of Nominal GDP from quarterly Household Debt and quarterly Nominal GDP. Office for National Statistics provides Household Debt in local currency and Nominal GDP in local currency. Household Debt includes NPISH.


Related information about United Kingdom Household Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, UK Household Debt reached 3,076.4 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• Money Supply M2 in UK increased 2.2 % YoY in Dec 2024.
• UK Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 112.5 USD bn in Jan 2025.
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 1.4 Months of Import in Oct 2024.
• UK Domestic Credit reached 4,866.2 USD bn in Dec 2024, representing an drop of 1.3 % YoY.
• The country's Non Performing Loans Ratio stood at 1.0 % in Dec 2022, compared with the ratio of 1.0 % in the previous year.

Key information about United Arab Emirates Household Debt

• United Arab Emirates Household Debt reached 457.5 USD bn in Apr 2023, compared with the reported number of 455.8 USD bn in the previous month
• United Arab Emirates Household Debt: USD mn data is updated monthly, available from Dec 2013 to Apr 2023
• The data reached an all-time high of 457.5 USD bn in Apr 2023 and a record low of 327.7 USD bn in Dec 2013

CEIC converts monthly Household Debt into USD. The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates provides Household Debt in local currency. The International Monetary Fund period end market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Loans are used due to the lack of Flow of Funds statistics. Household Debt covers Residents only.


Further information about United Arab Emirates Household Debt

• In the latest reports, United Arab Emirates Household Debt accounted for 106.2 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Dec 2021
• Money Supply M2 in United Arab Emirates increased 496.6 USD bn YoY in Apr 2023
• United Arab Emirates Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 141.6 USD bn in Mar 2023
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 3.8 Months of Import in Sep 2022
• United Arab Emirates Domestic Credit reached 401.4 USD bn in Mar 2023, representing an drop of 5.0 % YoY

Debt Balance Auto Loans in the United States decreased to 1.64 Trillion USD in the first quarter of 2025 from 1.66 Trillion USD in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for the United States Debt Balance Auto Loans.

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.

Monthly credit aggregates for the household sector, by category.

Key information about Australia Household Debt: % of GDP

• Australia household debt accounted for 116.6 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Mar 2023, compared with the ratio of 118.0 % in the previous quarter.
• Australia household debt to GDP ratio is updated quarterly, available from Jun 1988 to Mar 2023.
• The data reached an all-time high of 129.4 % in Sep 2016 and a record low of 44.2 % in Sep 1988.

CEIC calculates quarterly Household Debt as % of Nominal GDP from quarterly Household Debt and quarterly Nominal GDP. The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides Household Debt in local currency and Nominal GDP in local currency.


Related information about Australia Household Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, Australia Household Debt reached 1,957.6 USD bn in Mar 2023.
• Money Supply M2 in Australia increased 4.1 % YoY in Jun 2023.
• Australia Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 37.1 USD bn in Jun 2023.
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 1.5 Months of Import in May 2023.
• Australia Domestic Credit reached 3,627.0 USD bn in May 2023, representing an increased of 1.9 % YoY.
• The country's Non Performing Loans Ratio stood at 0.8 % in Mar 2023, compared with the ratio of 0.8 % in the previous quarter.