Personal debt statistics 2017
Explore the latest personal and household debt trends in 2017. Our Statistics Mid-Yearbook takes an in-depth look at more than 300,000 people struggling with problem debt.
1. Demand for debt advice is growing
In the first half of 2017, 326,639 people contacted StepChange Debt Charity for help and support with their problem debt. This equates to 1 person contacting us every 48 seconds.
2. Personal debt levels are rising
In 2016 the average unsecured debt of our clients increased for the first time in eight years.Our latest data shows this is a continuing trend in 2017. Our clients now have an average outstanding debt balance of £14,367.
3. More than two in five clients are behind on household bills
There has been a rise in the number of clients falling behind on household bills in the first half of 2017.
4. Our clients are getting younger
The proportion of younger clients seeking debt advice has continued to grow over the past five years. Almost two thirds of clients are under 40, which is a 10% rise on levels recorded five years ago
5. More renters are seeking advice
We are seeing fewer homeowners and an increased number of renters contacting us for advice and support with their problem debt.Our stats show that four out of five of our clients are now renters.
Download the Statistics Mid-Yearbook 2017 for the full picture*
Download now
*The data in this Statistics Mid-Yearbook is drawn from a StepChange Debt Charity warehouse containing the details of 23,874,197 million calls and 4 million clients. The figures are based on the 193,885 new clients debt advised from 1 January to 30 June 2017.