In the United States, interest rates for all mortgage types started to increase in 2021. This was due to the Federal Reserve introducing a series of hikes in the federal funds rate to contain the rising inflation. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the 30-year fixed rate rose slightly, to **** percent. Despite the increase, the rate remained below the peak of **** percent in the same quarter a year ago. Why have U.S. home sales decreased? Cheaper mortgages normally encourage consumers to buy homes, while higher borrowing costs have the opposite effect. As interest rates increased in 2022, the number of existing homes sold plummeted. Soaring house prices over the past 10 years have further affected housing affordability. Between 2013 and 2023, the median price of an existing single-family home risen by about ** percent. On the other hand, the median weekly earnings have risen much slower. Comparing mortgage terms and rates Between 2008 and 2023, the average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage in the United States stood between **** and **** percent. Over the same period, a 30-year mortgage term averaged a fixed-rate of between **** and **** percent. Rates on 15-year loan terms are lower to encourage a quicker repayment, which helps to improve a homeowner’s equity.

Graph and download economic data for 15-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (MORTGAGE15US) from 1991-08-30 to 2025-06-26 about 15-year, fixed, mortgage, interest rate, interest, rate, and USA.

After a period of gradual decline, the average annual rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in the United States rose to **** percent in 2023, up from the record-low **** percent in 2021. In 2024, interest rates declined slightly. The rate for 15-year fixed mortgages and five-year ARM mortgages followed a similar trend. This was a result of the Federal Reserve increasing the bank rate - a measure introduced to tackle the rising inflation. U.S. home prices going through the roof Mortgage rates have a strong impact on the market – the lower the rate, the lower the loan repayment. The rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage decreasing after the Great Recession has stimulated the market and boosted home sales. Another problem consumers face is the fact that house prices are rising at an unaffordable level. The median sales price of a new home sold surged in 2021, while the median weekly earnings of a full-time employee maintained a more moderate increase. What are the differences between 15-year and 30-year mortgages? Two of the most popular loan terms available to homebuyers are the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage and the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. The 30-year option appeals to more consumers because the repayment is spread out over 30 years, meaning the monthly payments are lower. Consumers choosing the 15-year option will have to pay higher monthly payments but benefit from lower interest rates.

Mortgage rates in the Netherlands increased sharply in 2022 and 2023, after declining gradually between 2008 and 2021. In December 2022, the average interest rate for new mortgage loans stood at **** percent, and by the end of 2023, it had risen to **** percent. The 10-year interest rate was the lowest, at **** percent; the floating and less than one-year interest rates amounted to **** and **** percent, respectively. In early 2024, mortgage rates decreased notably. Are mortgage rates in the Netherlands different from those in other European countries? When comparing this ranking to data that covers multiple European countries, the Netherlands’ mortgage rate was similar to the rates found in Spain, the United Kingdom, and Sweden. It was, however, a lot lower than the rates in Eastern Europe. Hungary and Romania, for example, had some of the highest mortgage rates. For more information on the European mortgage market and how much the countries differ from each other, please visit this dedicated research page. How big is the mortgage market in the Netherlands? The Netherlands has overall seen an increase in the number of mortgage loans sold and is regarded as one of the countries with the highest mortgage debt in Europe. The reason behind this is that Dutch homeowners were able to for many years to deduct interest paid from pre-tax income (a system known in the Netherlands as hypotheekrenteaftrek). Total mortgage debt of Dutch households has been increasing year-on-year since 2013.

Mortgage credit interest rate, percent in Switzerland, March, 2025 The most recent value is 1.97 percent as of March 2025, an increase compared to the previous value of 1.86 percent. Historically, the average for Switzerland from February 2008 to March 2025 is 2.14 percent. The minimum of 1.24 percent was recorded in February 2020, while the maximum of 4.58 percent was reached in June 2008. | TheGlobalEconomy.com

United States Mortgage Fixed Rate: Wk Ending: 30 Year: Point data was reported at 0.500 % pa in 26 Jul 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.400 % pa for 19 Jul 2018. United States Mortgage Fixed Rate: Wk Ending: 30 Year: Point data is updated weekly, averaging 0.600 % pa from Jan 2004 (Median) to 26 Jul 2018, with 760 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.900 % pa in 18 Nov 2010 and a record low of 0.300 % pa in 08 May 2008. United States Mortgage Fixed Rate: Wk Ending: 30 Year: Point data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Freddie Mac. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.M012: Mortgage Interest Rate.

Mortgage credit interest rate, percent in Bulgaria, March, 2025 The most recent value is 2.77 percent as of March 2025, an increase compared to the previous value of 2.76 percent. Historically, the average for Bulgaria from January 2007 to March 2025 is 6.16 percent. The minimum of 2.76 percent was recorded in December 2024, while the maximum of 9.84 percent was reached in December 2008. | TheGlobalEconomy.com

Graph and download economic data for 5/1-Year Adjustable Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (DISCONTINUED) (MORTGAGE5US) from 2005-01-06 to 2022-11-10 about adjusted, mortgage, interest rate, interest, 5-year, rate, and USA.

United States WAS: Effective Rate: FRM 30-Year: 1-Wk Change data was reported at 0.000 Point in 20 Jul 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.020 Point for 13 Jul 2018. United States WAS: Effective Rate: FRM 30-Year: 1-Wk Change data is updated weekly, averaging -0.010 Point from Jan 1990 (Median) to 20 Jul 2018, with 1489 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.610 Point in 09 Oct 1998 and a record low of -0.530 Point in 28 Nov 2008. United States WAS: Effective Rate: FRM 30-Year: 1-Wk Change data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Mortgage Bankers Association. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.M013: Weekly Applications Survey: Mortgage Interest Rate.

Mortgage credit interest rate, percent in Lithuania, March, 2025 The most recent value is 4.54 percent as of March 2025, a decline compared to the previous value of 4.69 percent. Historically, the average for Lithuania from October 2004 to March 2025 is 3.19 percent. The minimum of 1.59 percent was recorded in November 2017, while the maximum of 6 percent was reached in October 2008. | TheGlobalEconomy.com

The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-09 was a period of severe macroeconomic instability for the United States and the global economy more generally. The crisis was precipitated by the collapse of a number of financial institutions who were deeply involved in the U.S. mortgage market and associated credit markets. Beginning in the Summer of 2007, a number of banks began to report issues with increasing mortgage delinquencies and the problem of not being able to accurately price derivatives contracts which were based on bundles of these U.S. residential mortgages. By the end of 2008, U.S. financial institutions had begun to fail due to their exposure to the housing market, leading to one of the deepest recessions in the history of the United States and to extensive government bailouts of the financial sector.

Subprime and the collapse of the U.S. mortgage market

The early 2000s had seen explosive growth in the U.S. mortgage market, as credit became cheaper due to the Federal Reserve's decision to lower interest rates in the aftermath of the 2001 'Dot Com' Crash, as well as because of the increasing globalization of financial flows which directed funds into U.S. financial markets. Lower mortgage rates gave incentive to financial institutions to begin lending to riskier borrowers, using so-called 'subprime' loans. These were loans to borrowers with poor credit scores, who would not have met the requirements for a conventional mortgage loan. In order to hedge against the risk of these riskier loans, financial institutions began to use complex financial instruments known as derivatives, which bundled mortgage loans together and allowed the risk of default to be sold on to willing investors. This practice was supposed to remove the risk from these loans, by effectively allowing credit institutions to buy insurance against delinquencies. Due to the fraudulent practices of credit ratings agencies, however, the price of these contacts did not reflect the real risk of the loans involved. As the reality of the inability of the borrowers to repay began to kick in during 2007, the financial markets which traded these derivatives came under increasing stress and eventually led to a 'sudden stop' in trading and credit intermediation during 2008.

Market Panic and The Great Recession

As borrowers failed to make repayments, this had a knock-on effect among financial institutions who were highly leveraged with financial instruments based on the mortgage market. Lehman Brothers, one of the world's largest investment banks, failed on September 15th 2008, causing widespread panic in financial markets. Due to the fear of an unprecedented collapse in the financial sector which would have untold consequences for the wider economy, the U.S. government and central bank, The Fed, intervened the following day to bailout the United States' largest insurance company, AIG, and to backstop financial markets. The crisis prompted a deep recession, known colloquially as The Great Recession, drawing parallels between this period and The Great Depression. The collapse of credit intermediation in the economy lead to further issues in the real economy, as business were increasingly unable to pay back loans and were forced to lay off staff, driving unemployment to a high of almost 10 percent in 2010. While there has been criticism of the U.S. government's actions to bailout the financial institutions involved, the actions of the government and the Fed are seen by many as having prevented the crisis from spiraling into a depression of the magnitude of The Great Depression.

Mortgage credit interest rate, percent in Spain, March, 2025 The most recent value is 3.13 percent as of March 2025, a decline compared to the previous value of 3.2 percent. Historically, the average for Spain from January 2003 to March 2025 is 2.73 percent. The minimum of 1.1 percent was recorded in August 2021, while the maximum of 5.72 percent was reached in November 2008. | TheGlobalEconomy.com

Mortgage credit interest rate, percent in Slovenia, March, 2025 The most recent value is 3.54 percent as of March 2025, no change compared to the previous value of 3.54 percent. Historically, the average for Slovenia from May 2005 to March 2025 is 3.9 percent. The minimum of 1.86 percent was recorded in February 2022, while the maximum of 7.4 percent was reached in October 2008. | TheGlobalEconomy.com

The benchmark interest rate in Mexico was last recorded at 8 percent. This dataset provides - Mexico Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The benchmark interest rate in Japan was last recorded at 0.50 percent. This dataset provides - Japan Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In 2022, Portugal overturned the sinking mortgage interest rate it had gone through during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The country did not escape from the overall trend of falling mortgage interest rates observed in Europe during the COVID-19 crisis, which positioned national mortgage interest rates at **** percent in the fourth quarter of 2021. Interest rates as a weapon against inflation Even though interest rates are affected by economic growth, monetary policies, the bond market, the stability of lenders, and the overall conditions of the housing market, inflation currently leads the European Central Bank (ECB)’s decisions regarding them. As inflation had been low in Europe since the 2008 financial crisis, the ECB lowered interest rates in an attempt to promote economic growth. However, the economic difficulties brought up by the coronavirus pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian war have fueled inflation. To counteract this rise, the ECB increased interest rates. Portugal’s abrupt rise in interest rates on new residential loans from **** percent in 2021 to **** percent in 2023 demonstrates the balanced and calculated act between the two financial indices. High interest rates and low mortgage lending Compared to other European nations, Portugal has a low gross residential mortgage lending. In the third and fourth quarters of 2022, mortgage lending decreased in the country due to rising interest rates and worsening economic conditions, but have increased dramatically until 2024. Despite being in a rising trajectory in terms of outstanding residential mortgage lending since the second quarter of 2021, 2023 registered decreasing figures caused by the same economic contingencies. 2024 shows a different trend, however.

The benchmark interest rate in Ireland was last recorded at 4.50 percent. This dataset provides - Ireland Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Graph and download economic data for Delinquency Rate on Single-Family Residential Mortgages, Booked in Domestic Offices, All Commercial Banks (DRSFRMACBS) from Q1 1991 to Q1 2025 about domestic offices, delinquencies, 1-unit structures, mortgage, family, residential, commercial, domestic, banks, depository institutions, rate, and USA.

United States Mortgage Adjustable Rate: Wk Ending: 5 Year: Point data was reported at 0.300 % pa in 06 Dec 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.300 % pa for 29 Nov 2018. United States Mortgage Adjustable Rate: Wk Ending: 5 Year: Point data is updated weekly, averaging 0.500 % pa from Jan 2005 (Median) to 06 Dec 2018, with 727 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.900 % pa in 20 Mar 2008 and a record low of 0.200 % pa in 02 Aug 2018. United States Mortgage Adjustable Rate: Wk Ending: 5 Year: Point data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Freddie Mac. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.M012: Mortgage Interest Rate.

United States WAS: Contract Rate: FRM 30-Year: 1-Wk Change data was reported at -0.030 Point in 23 Nov 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of -0.020 Point for 16 Nov 2018. United States WAS: Contract Rate: FRM 30-Year: 1-Wk Change data is updated weekly, averaging -0.010 Point from Jan 1990 (Median) to 23 Nov 2018, with 1507 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.600 Point in 09 Oct 1998 and a record low of -0.520 Point in 28 Nov 2008. United States WAS: Contract Rate: FRM 30-Year: 1-Wk Change data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Mortgage Bankers Association. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.M013: Weekly Applications Survey: Mortgage Interest Rate.