In the first half of 2024, the total value of debt from loans to households in the United Kingdom amounted to approximately two trillion British pounds. It was in 2004, when household debt surpassed the one trillion British pounds mark. Debts can be formed in a number of ways. The most common forms of debt for households include credit cards, medical debt, student loans, overdrafts, mortgages, automobile financing and personal loans.

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.

Households Debt in the United Kingdom decreased to 76.30 percent of GDP in the fourth quarter of 2024 from 77.20 percent of GDP in the third quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - United Kingdom Households Debt To Gdp- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Households that have liquidity problems and solvency problems only

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.

Key information about United Kingdom Household Debt

• United Kingdom Household Debt reached 3,076.4 USD bn in Sep 2024, compared with the reported number of 2,873.8 USD bn in the previous quarter
• UK Household Debt: USD mn data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1987 to Sep 2024
• The data reached an all-time high of 3,298.5 USD bn in Jun 2008 and a record low of 406.9 USD bn in Mar 1987

CEIC converts quarterly Household Debt into USD. Office for National Statistics provides Household Debt in local currency. The Federal Reserve Board period end market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Household Debt includes NPISH.


Further information about United Kingdom Household Debt

• In the latest reports, United Kingdom Household Debt accounted for 81.5 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Sep 2024
• Money Supply M2 in United Kingdom increased 3,931.4 USD bn YoY in Oct 2024
• United Kingdom Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 115.5 USD bn in Nov 2024
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 1.4 Months of Import in Oct 2024
• United Kingdom Domestic Credit reached 5,119.2 USD bn in Aug 2024, representing an drop of 0.9 % YoY

Key information about United Kingdom Private Debt: % of Nominal GDP

• United Kingdom Private Debt accounted for 113.96 % of its Nominal GDP in Dec 2024, compared with a ratio of 116.11 % in the previous quarter
• UK Private Debt contribution to Nominal GDP ratio is updated quarterly, available from Jun 1998 to Dec 2024, with an average share of 135.26 %
• The data reached an all-time high of 203.16 % in Mar 2010 and a record low of 101.90 % in Dec 1998

CEIC calculates quarterly Private Debt as % of Nominal GDP from monthly Private Debt and quarterly Nominal GDP. Private Debt is calculated as the sum of Private Loans and Private Securities in GBP and Foreign Currency. The Bank of England provides Private Debt in local currency. Office for National Statistics provides Nominal GDP in local currency. Private Debt includes Financial Sector.

Private Debt to GDP in the United Kingdom decreased to 160.90 percent in 2023 from 171.90 percent in 2022. United Kingdom Private Debt to GDP - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on June of 2025.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Household Debt to GDP for United Kingdom (HDTGPDGBQ163N) from Q4 2008 to Q3 2024 about United Kingdom, debt, households, and GDP.

In 2022, the most common reason for having personal debt by people seeking financial advice in the United Kingdom (UK) was lack of control over finances. According to the figures, 15 percent of clients who sought debt counseling with the UK charity StepChange had debt problems because of the increase in the cost of living. Personal debt is defined as a financial obligation owed by an individual or a household.

Household debt to GDP, in percent in the United Kingdom, September, 2024 The most recent value is 77 percent as of September 2024, a decline compared to the previous value of 77.2 percent. Historically, the average for the United Kingdom from March 1990 to September 2024 is 77.97 percent. The minimum of 55.9 percent was recorded in March 1990, while the maximum of 98.2 percent was reached in March 2010. | TheGlobalEconomy.com

Key information about United Kingdom Debt Service Ratio: Private Non-Financial Sector

• United Kingdom Debt Service Ratio: Private Non-Financial Sector was reported at 13.700 % in Sep 2024
• This records an increase from the previous number of 13.500 % for Jun 2024
• UK Debt Service Ratio: Private Non-Financial Sector data is updated quarterly, averaging 15.600 % from Mar 1999 to Sep 2024, with 103 observations
• The data reached an all-time high of 19.700 % in Dec 2008 and a record low of 13.300 % in Jun 2023
• UK Debt Service Ratio: Private Non-Financial Sector data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bank for International Settlements
• The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Association: Banking Sector – Table RC.BIS.DSR: G1 Private Non-Financial Sector (PNF): Quarterly

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

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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

Key information about United Kingdom Domestic Credit

• United Kingdom Domestic Credit reached 4,866.2 USD bn in Dec 2024, compared with a reported figure of 5,014.0 USD bn in the previous month
• UK Domestic Credit data is updated monthly
• It is available from Jan 1987 to Dec 2024 and averaged 3,597.6 USD bn
• The data reached an all-time high of 5,660.2 USD bn in May 2021 and a record low of 520.7 USD bn in Jan 1987

CEIC converts monthly Domestic Credit into USD. The International Monetary Fund provides Domestic Credit in local currency. The Federal Reserve Board period end market exchange rate is used for currency conversions.


Further information about United Kingdom Domestic Credit

• In the latest reports, UK Domestic Credit represented an drop of 1.3 % YoY in Dec 2024
• Money Supply M2 in UK increased to 3,858.8 USD bn 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
• 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
• Household Debt of UK reached 81.6 % in Sep 2024, accounting for 81.6 % of the country's Nominal GDP

Between 2006 and 2025, year-on-year change consumer loans in the United Kingdom (UK) fluctuated more than mortgage lending. After a very sharp fall in mid to late 2020 and early 2021, the value of consumer credit began to increase again, reaching a positive annual growth rate of 6.4 percent in January 2025. Meanwhile, the year-on-year change of mortgages kept growing in 2024 from -0.1 percent in January 2024 to 1.8 percent in January 2025.

Private sector debt includes the stock of liabilities, debt securities and loans, held by non-financial corporations, households and non-profit institutions serving households. Between 1995 and 2018, the value of non-consolidated debt of the private sector in the United Kingdom (UK) increased steadily, reaching its highest value of nearly 3.5 trillion British pounds in 2018. In 2019, this figure decreased slightly. Indebtedness is correlated with rising income levels since borrowing allows an increase in consumption and investment. Nevertheless, overborrowing exposes businesses to risk of changes in economic conditions, interest rates and inflation.

Consumer Credit in the United Kingdom increased to 1580 GBP Million in April from 1102 GBP Million in March of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom Consumer Credit - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Point locations of Debt advice agencies including attributes information such as contact details and drop-in session times.

Debt advice agencies offer advice and support to people facing difficulties with debt and other finacial problems. Most agencies provide this assistence in a number of ways, including drop-in sessions, pre-arranged appointments, telephone consultations and online information. Note that you may need to bring some paperwork or personal details to attend drop-in sessions. Call the agency for details.