The Federal Reserve's latest consumer finances survey shows rising U.S.
household debt stress. Median debt-service-to-income ratio climbed to 15.4% (up
2ppt vs 2022); the Fed cited higher mortgage and consumer loan rates as a likely
driver. The share of households with debt-service ratios at or above 40% rose to
8.6% from 6.5%, the highest since 2013. Households reporting loan delinquencies
rose to nearly 20% in 2025 from about 12% in 2022, underscoring worsening
repayment strain as borrowing costs have increased.
