Credit card debt in the United States has been growing at a fast pace between 2021 and 2024. In the third 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 927 billion U.S. dollars in the last quarter of 2019 to 770 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 2024. That year, the penetration rate of credit cards in the United States was 67 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 2023, 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 2025-03-12 about revolving, credit cards, loans, consumer, banks, depository institutions, and USA.

This statistic presents the credit card debt outstanding in the United States from 2000 to 2010 and a forecast thereof for 2018, by credit card type. The credit card debt outstanding on Visa credit cards amounted to approximately 332 billion U.S. dollars in 2010 and it was projected to increase to 471 billion U.S. dollars in 2018.

Graph and download economic data for Large Bank Consumer Credit Card Balances: Total Balances (RCCCBBALTOT) from Q3 2012 to Q3 2024 about FR Y-14M, consumer credit, credit cards, large, balance, loans, consumer, banks, depository institutions, 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 21,800 U.S. dollars in 2023. While respondents had 38,000 U.S. dollars of debt in 2018, that volume decreased to 29,803 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 154,700 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 debt Educational expenses were not among the leading sources of debt among consumers in the U.S. in 2022. Instead, they made up about ten percent of the total. However, around 39 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.

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

Consumer Credit in the United States decreased to 18.08 USD Billion in January from 37.05 USD Billion in December of 2024. 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.

Consumers in the United States had over 16 trillion dollars in debt as of the third quarter of 2023. The majority of that debt were home mortgages, amounting to approximately 11.4 trillion U.S. dollars. Student and car loans were the second and third largest component of household debt. Why is consumer debt important?Debt influences the Consumer Sentiment Index, which is an important indicator assessing the state of the U.S. economy. The U.S. housing market is also seen a bellwether of the economic conditions in the country. The housing industry employs a large number of people, and mortgages are large investments that consumers will pay off over the course of years, sometimes decades. Because of this, financial analysts closely watch consumer debt and its effects on the demand for housing. Attitudes towards debt Consumer perception of debt differed, depending on the kind of debt in question. While most saw a home mortgage as a positive investment, they increasingly looked at student loan debt as a negative debt. With education costs increasing, people are incurring more student loan debt in the United States. Credit card debt also had negative connotations.

Households Debt in the United States decreased to 70.50 percent of GDP in the third quarter of 2024 from 70.70 percent of GDP in the second quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - United States Households Debt To Gdp- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Graph and download economic data for Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks (DRCCLACBS) from Q1 1991 to Q4 2024 about credit cards, delinquencies, commercial, loans, banks, depository institutions, rate, and USA.

The total average debt of Baby Boomers in the United States amounted to nearly 94,880 U.S. dollars in 2023. Debt balances, however, varied greatly according to the generation. The Generation X held the highest debt on average (157,560 U.S. dollars), while generation Z held the lowest average debt (nearly 29,820 U.S. dollars).

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

Graph and download economic data for Large Bank Consumer Credit Card Balances: 30 or More Days Past Due Rates: Balances Based (RCCCBBALDPD30P) from Q3 2012 to Q3 2024 about 30 days +, FR Y-14M, consumer credit, credit cards, large, balance, loans, consumer, banks, depository institutions, rate, and USA.

In 2023, 968 billion U.S. dollars worth of student loans were in forebearance in the United States. This is due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, where the government paused repayment of student loans and froze the accumulation of interest. This is compared to 112 billion U.S. dollars worth of student loans that were in default. As of the fourth quarter of 2022, outstanding student loan debt in the U.S. was valued at approximately 1.76 trillion U.S. dollars.

In 2023, the credit market debt of households in the United States amounted to nearly 20 trillion U.S. dollars. Those figures measure the liability level of the credit market instruments of and nonprofit organizations, which, overall, have increased considerably during the past decade.

The average consumer debt balance in the United States has peaked in 2023 at roughly 104,200 U.S. dollars. However, average consumer debt had decreased between 2010 and 2013, when it reached approximately 85,500 U.S. dollars. Here, consumer debt refers to student and car loans, credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, and other types of debt.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Debt Service Payments as a Percent of Disposable Personal Income (CDSP) from Q1 1980 to Q4 2024 about disposable, payments, debt, personal income, percent, personal, consumer, services, income, and USA.

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

The debt management services market is experiencing robust growth, driven by rising consumer debt levels globally and increased awareness of debt solutions. The market size in 2025 is estimated at $15 billion, exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8% from 2025 to 2033. This growth is fueled by several key factors: the increasing prevalence of credit card debt and personal loans, particularly among younger demographics; a rising demand for financial literacy programs and counseling services; and the expansion of both for-profit and non-profit organizations offering debt management solutions. Furthermore, technological advancements, such as online platforms and mobile applications, are enhancing accessibility and convenience, driving market expansion. The segmentation of the market, with both for-profit and non-profit service providers catering to individual and commercial clients, provides diverse avenues for growth. Geographic expansion is also contributing to the overall market growth. North America currently holds the largest market share, but rapidly developing economies in Asia-Pacific and other regions are presenting significant opportunities. Regulatory changes and government initiatives aimed at consumer protection and financial inclusion are also influencing market dynamics. However, challenges remain, including the potential for fraud and scams within the industry, the need for greater financial literacy among consumers, and economic downturns that can temporarily impact demand. Despite these challenges, the long-term outlook for the debt management services market remains positive, with continuous growth projected throughout the forecast period, driven by the persistent need for effective debt management solutions.