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.

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.

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.

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.

United States HH Debt: Balance: New Delinquent Loan: Credit Card data was reported at 6.840 % in Mar 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6.950 % for Dec 2019. United States HH Debt: Balance: New Delinquent Loan: Credit Card data is updated quarterly, averaging 8.081 % from Mar 2003 (Median) to Mar 2020, with 69 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.780 % in Dec 2009 and a record low of 5.073 % in Jun 2016. United States HH Debt: Balance: New Delinquent Loan: Credit Card 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.KB027: Household Debt.

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.

In the first quarter of 2024, household debt in the United States amounted to over 71 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 2022, 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 HH Debt: Balance: New Seriously Delinquent Loan: Credit Card data was reported at 5.310 % in Mar 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5.320 % for Dec 2019. United States HH Debt: Balance: New Seriously Delinquent Loan: Credit Card data is updated quarterly, averaging 5.594 % from Mar 2003 (Median) to Mar 2020, with 69 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.957 % in Dec 2009 and a record low of 3.509 % in Sep 2016. United States HH Debt: Balance: New Seriously Delinquent Loan: Credit Card 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.KB027: Household Debt.

The value of revolving credit outstanding in the United States increased in most years between 1995 and 2023, albeit with some fluctuations. In 2023, the revolving credit outstanding in the United States amounted to just over a trillion U.S. dollars, decreasing from the roughly 1.08 trillion U.S. dollars reached in 2019. Revolving credit is a type of credit that does not have a fixed number of payments, in contrast to an installment credit. The most common examples of revolving credit used by consumers are credit cards, although some credit cards are non-revolving, i.e. require users to pay off the full balance at the end of each month.

Key information about United States Household Debt: % of GDP

• United States household debt accounted for 61.7 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Dec 2024, compared with the ratio of 62.3 % in the previous quarter.
• US household debt to GDP ratio is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1999 to Dec 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 85.8 % in Dec 2008 and a record low of 49.4 % in Mar 1999.

CEIC calculates quarterly Household Debt as % of Nominal GDP from quarterly Household Debt and quarterly Nominal GDP. Federal Reserve Board of New York provides Household Debt in USD. The Bureau of Economic Analysis provides Nominal GDP in USD. Household Debt includes Mortgages, Home Equity Revolving, Auto Loans, Bankcards, Student Loans and Others.


Related information about United States Household Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, US Household Debt reached 18,036.0 USD bn in Dec 2024.
• Money Supply M2 in US increased 3.9 % YoY in Jan 2025.
• US 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.
• US Domestic Credit reached 30,648.3 USD bn in Mar 2024, representing an drop of 0.3 % YoY.
• The country's Non Performing Loans Ratio stood at 1.7 % in Dec 2024, compared with the ratio of 1.5 % in the previous quarter.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Debt Settlement market size is USD 289.2 million in 2024 and will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.00% from 2024 to 2031.

North America held the major market of more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 115.68 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.2% from 2024 to 2031.
Europe accounted for a share of over 30% of the global market size of USD 86.76 million.
Asia Pacific held the market of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 66.52 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0% from 2024 to 2031.
Latin America market of more than 5% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 14.46 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4% from 2024 to 2031.
Middle East and Africa held the major market of around 2% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 5.78 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7% from 2024 to 2031.
The B2B Type held the highest Debt Settlement market revenue share in 2024

Market Dynamics of Debt Settlement Market

Key Drivers for Debt Settlement Market

Increased Consumer Debt to Increase the Demand Globally

Rising consumer debt tiers, influenced by factors that include scholar loans, clinical payments, and credit card utilization, make contributions to burgeoning customers for debt settlement companies. Mounting economic obligations stresses people, prompting them to search for comfort through debt agreement offerings. Student mortgage burdens, exacerbated with the aid of escalating lesson fees and clinical prices, frequently now not fully protected by using coverage, compound the debt crisis. Additionally, sizable credit card utilization amplifies patron indebtedness. These elements together pressure people to explore debt agreement alternatives, aiming to barter decreased payment arrangements with lenders. Consequently, the demand for debt agreement offerings surges amidst the backdrop of escalating purchaser debt, reflecting the profound effect of financial strain on households.

Greater Awareness of Debt Settlement Services to Propel Market Growth

Heightened advertising endeavors and monetary literacy tasks have fostered broader know-how of debt settlement offerings as a viable approach to debt control. With extra publicity for those options, customers are increasingly open to exploring alternatives beyond traditional debt compensation techniques. Enhanced recognition empowers people to recall debt agreements as a proactive technique to alleviate economic burdens. As they grow to be extra informed about the capacity blessings and implications, clients are much more likely to interact with debt agreement businesses to negotiate favorable phrases with lenders. This shift indicates a fundamental alternate in customer attitudes toward debt management, pushed via education and outreach efforts aimed toward promoting financial empowerment and resilience.

Restraint Factor for the Debt Settlement Market

Negative Impact on Credit Score to Limit the Sales

Debt agreement, even as providing alleviation from overwhelming monetary burdens, frequently involves an amazing drawback: a vast decline in the man or woman's credit score. By negotiating decreased repayment quantities with lenders, individuals efficiently acknowledge an incapacity to fulfill the initial debt duties as agreed upon. Consequently, credit score reporting groups interpret this as a hazard component, main to a downward adjustment within the person's credit rating. This faded score can critically prevent future financial endeavors, consisting of securing loans or traces of credit, as creditors normally view lower credit scores as indicative of heightened repayment danger. Thus, whilst debt settlement provides on-the-spot respite, its lasting impact on creditworthiness underscores the importance of cautiously weighing the trade-offs concerned in pursuing such answers.

Impact of Covid-19 on the Debt Settlement Market

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the debt settlement market, triggering a surge in demand as individuals grapple with financial hardships caused by job losses, reduced incomes, and economic instability [1]. Mounting debts, exacerbated by pandemic-related expenses and disruptions, have driven more people to seek ass...

The consumer debt settlement market is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing personal debt levels globally and a rising awareness of debt settlement solutions among consumers struggling with financial burdens. The market, estimated at $15 billion in 2025, is projected to exhibit a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8% from 2025 to 2033, reaching an estimated market value of $28 billion by 2033. Key drivers include the increasing prevalence of unsecured debt like credit card debt and medical debt, coupled with rising interest rates and inflation impacting borrowers' ability to repay loans. The market is segmented by loan type (credit card, medical, student loans, and others) and application (open-end and closed-end loans). While the United States currently dominates the market, significant growth opportunities exist in developing economies with burgeoning middle classes and rising consumer debt. However, market restraints include stringent regulations in various jurisdictions, the potential for scams targeting vulnerable consumers, and the complexity of debt settlement negotiations. The competitive landscape is characterized by a mix of large, established debt relief companies and smaller, regional players, leading to intense competition and a focus on innovation and customer service to maintain market share. The North American market, particularly the United States, is expected to continue its dominance due to high personal debt levels and a relatively mature debt settlement industry. However, regions like Asia-Pacific, specifically India and China, are poised for substantial growth owing to rapid economic expansion and increasing consumer credit access. This growth necessitates a focus on efficient and ethical debt settlement solutions to address the challenges of increasing consumer debt while mitigating risks associated with fraudulent practices within the industry. Companies are increasingly adopting digital technologies to improve efficiency and reach a wider customer base. This also entails investment in robust customer support and transparent communication to foster trust and build confidence in their services. The evolving regulatory landscape also necessitates adaptation and compliance to ensure long-term sustainability and operational viability within the industry.

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

This statistic presents the distribution of credit card debt in the United States in 2019, by generation. In March 2019, 34 percent of Millennials had not credit card debt at all, one percentage point lower than the national rate.

AFCC Debt Settlement operates in a substantial and rapidly growing market for debt settlement services. The global debt settlement market, valued at USD 388.4 million in 2025, is projected to reach USD XX billion by 2033, registering a CAGR of XX% during the forecast period. This growth is driven by increasing consumer debt levels, rising interest rates, and the proliferation of financial products. The market is segmented based on type (credit card loan, medical loan, private student loan, others), application (open-end loan, closed-end loan), and region (North America, South America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Asia Pacific). Key industry players include Freedom Debt Relief, Rescue One Financial, National Debt Relief, ClearOne Advantage, and Century Support Services. Several factors contribute to the market's growth. Consumers are facing higher levels of debt due to factors such as job loss, medical expenses, and overspending. At the same time, interest rates are rising, making it more expensive for consumers to repay their debts. This has led to an increased demand for debt settlement services, which can help consumers reduce their debt burden and improve their financial health. Additionally, the increasing availability of financial products, such as credit cards and personal loans, has contributed to the growth of the market. These products can be helpful when used responsibly, but they can also lead to excessive debt if not managed properly. As a result, the demand for debt settlement services is expected to remain strong in the years to come.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Credit Held by the Bottom 50% (1st to 50th Wealth Percentiles) (WFRBLB50103) from Q3 1989 to Q4 2024 about wealth, consumer credit, percentile, loans, consumer, and USA.

The size and share of the market is categorized based on Application (Personal loan consolidation, Home equity consolidation, Credit card consolidation, Debt management plans, Balance transfer credit cards) and Product (Financial planning, Debt reduction, Credit score improvement, Budgeting, Loan management) and geographical regions (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle-East and Africa).

Private Debt to GDP in the United States decreased to 216.50 percent in 2023 from 224.50 percent in 2022. United States Private Debt to GDP - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on March of 2025.