Consumers in the United States had over **** trillion dollars in debt as of the first quarter of 2025. The majority of that debt were home mortgages, amounting to approximately **** 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.

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.

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, personal income, debt, percent, households, personal, income, services, and USA.

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.

The majority of customer complaints regarding debt collection in the United States in 2023 concerned agencies trying to collect debt that the consumer did not owe. Written notifications about debt followed, with over ****** respondents having complaints about it that year.

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.

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.

• 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.

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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

In the third quarter of 2024, household debt in the United States amounted to over 71.66 percent of its GDP. It can be generally observed that U.S. households are more indebted by the end of the year than in any other quarter. The debt of households peaked in the last quarter of 2020, reaching the highest value since 2013. Debt to GDP ratio As it can be observed here, the household debt to GDP ratio decreased overall in the recent years. The steady growth of the gross domestic product in the United States could be a factor explaining this tendency. If the volume of debt grows at a slower pace than the GDP, the debt to GDP ratio would decrease. In addition to that, the overall value of mortgage debt in the U.S., which is the most significant component of the household debt, decreased from 2012 to the third quarter of 2014, but it has rebounded since then. Public debt in the U.S. Public debt in the United States, which is the amount of money borrowed by the government to finance budget deficits, has been increasing almost every single year. Not only that, but according to that forecast it is also expected to keep increasing during the coming years. The major holders of American government debt, as of December 2023, were Federal Reserve and government accounts and foreign and international holders. The ratio of national debt to GDP of the United States was higher than that of other major economies, but lower than that of Japan. Some of the lowest debt to GDP ratios were observed in Hong Kong SAR, Kuwait, and Turkmenistan.

United States SCE: Debt Delinquency Expectation: Probability of Missing Minimum Debt Payment Over the Next 3 Months data was reported at 13.944 % in Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 13.594 % for Mar 2025. United States SCE: Debt Delinquency Expectation: Probability of Missing Minimum Debt Payment Over the Next 3 Months data is updated monthly, averaging 12.114 % from Jun 2013 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 143 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17.168 % in Sep 2013 and a record low of 9.201 % in Feb 2022. United States SCE: Debt Delinquency Expectation: Probability of Missing Minimum Debt Payment Over the Next 3 Months data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.H085: Survey of Consumer Expectations: Financial.

Credit bureaus and rating agencies in the US have experienced notable growth in recent years due to heightened demand for information. The reliance on data analytics has driven increased interest in these services, which provide vital information on creditworthiness for both individuals and businesses. This has been particularly significant as businesses and individuals seek to make well-informed financial decisions. Despite challenges related to the pandemic, inflation and high interest rates, the industry has thrived and profit has soared, indicating its resilience and the critical nature of the services it offers in a data-driven economy. While long-term demand for information has buoyed the industry, providers’ trajectory has been influenced by broader economic conditions, notably equity market fluctuations. The industry weathered initial pandemic-related disruptions, which precipitated a sharp fall in stock prices and corporate profit. Nonetheless, rapid fiscal and monetary responses bolstered investor confidence and led to a robust rebound in equity markets, contributing to massive revenue growth in 2020 and 2021. Soaring interest rates in 2022 and 2023 boosted recessionary fears among investors, hindering demand for equities, reducing stock prices and thus contributing to a major drop in revenue in 2022. These effects have percolated into the real economy as consumer and business borrowing has slowed, constraining aggregate household debt and corporate debt. These effects have negatively impacted the industry in 2023 and 2024, though a rebound in the stock market has prevented a major collapse in revenue. Overall, revenue for credit bureaus and rating agencies in the US is anticipated to soar at a CAGR of 4.3% over the past five years, reaching $16.4 billion in 2024. This includes a 1.3% drop in revenue in that year. Looking ahead, credit bureaus and rating agencies will face a more tempered growth trajectory over the next five years. The broad adoption of online services and data analytics has led to market saturation, reducing opportunities for exponential revenue growth. Nonetheless, stable economic growth and business formation should sustain a steady demand for credit reporting and rating services. The predicted slower growth in equity prices will moderate financial institutions' borrowing capacity, which will also contribute to the slowdown in revenue growth. Overall, revenue for credit bureaus and rating agencies in the United States is forecast to inch upward at a CAGR of 1.1% over the next five years, reaching $17.4 billion in 2029.

US Mortgage/Loan Brokers Market Analysis The US mortgage/loan brokers market is substantial, valued at USD XX million in 2025 with a projected CAGR of 5.00% during 2025-2033. This growth is attributed to factors such as rising demand for home ownership, increasing home values, and low interest rates. The market is segmented by component (products, services), enterprise (large, small, medium-sized), application (home loans, commercial loans, etc.), end-user (business, individuals), and region. Prominent players include Quicken Loans, Wells Fargo, and Caliber Home Loans. Market Drivers and Trends The growth of the US mortgage/loan brokers market is driven by several factors, including the increasing demand for residential and commercial construction, government incentives for home ownership, and the availability of various loan options. Additionally, technological advancements, such as online loan applications and mobile banking, are simplifying the loan application process. However, rising interest rates and stricter lending regulations pose potential challenges to the market's growth. Nonetheless, the growing need for mortgages and the increasing complexity of loan processes are expected to drive the market's expansion in the coming years. Recent developments include: November 2022: A digital home equity line of credit was introduced by loanDepot, one of the country's biggest non-bank retail mortgage lenders, against the backdrop of inflation and rising consumer debt., October 2022: Pennymac Financial Services launched POWER+, its next generation broker technology platform. Brokers will now have more speed and control over the mortgage process to deliver an exceptional experience to their customers and referral partners.. Notable trends are: Adoption of the New Technologies Driving the Market.

Altarum's Consumer Healthcare Experience State Survey (CHESS) and Medical Debt Survey are designed to elicit respondents' unbiased views on a wide range of health system issues, including confidence in using the health system, financial burden, medical debt, and views on fixes that might be needed. The surveys use a web panel from Dynata with a demographically balanced sample of approximately 1,500 respondents who live in a targeted state. The surveys were conducted in English or Spanish and restricted to adults ages 18 and older. Respondents who finished the surveys in less than half the median time were excluded from the final sample.

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

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

In 2023, the debt services payments to disposable income ratio in the United States has remained relatively stable. That came after a sharp drop of the ratio in 2021 and 2022, which was followed by a rapid increase of the debt service payments, as they represented over 9.8 percent of their personal disposable income in the last quarter of 2023. In this context, debt service refers to the amount of money that households need to pay up their debts, including the interest rates of their loans and lending.

Total-Long-Term-Debt Time Series for FirstSun Capital Bancorp Common Stock. FirstSun Capital Bancorp operates as the bank holding company for Sunflower Bank, National Association that provides commercial and consumer banking and financial services to small and medium-sized companies in Texas, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Washington. It offers noninterest and interest-bearing deposit accounts, checking and savings accounts, money market and term certificate accounts, and treasury management products and services, as well as certificates of deposit. The company also provides commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans, residential mortgage loans, and small business administration loans, as well as consumer loans, such as personal, 1-4 family, home equity, multi-family, credit card accounts, overdrafts, and other revolving loans. In addition, it offers remote deposit and cash management products; wealth management and online banking products and services; and trust products, including personal trust and agency accounts, employee benefit and retirement related trust and agency accounts, investment management and advisory agency accounts, and foundation and endowment trust and agency accounts. The company was formerly known as Sunflower Financial, Inc. and changed its name to FirstSun Capital Bancorp in June 2017. FirstSun Capital Bancorp was founded in 1892 and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

Graph and download economic data for Households; Net Worth, Level (BOGZ1FL192090005Q) from Q4 1987 to Q1 2025 about net worth, Net, households, and USA.

Households Debt in Canada decreased to 171.10 percent of gross income in 2025 from 173.07 percent in 2024. This dataset provides - Canada Households Debt To Income- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Between 2000 and 2022, the total outstanding of both public and private debt in the United States across all sectors increased significantly, growing from 28.63 trillion U.S. dollars to 93.5 trillion U.S. dollars. These figures include all outstanding loans and debt securities from companies, households, and governments.