Fed Says 20% of U.S. Families Fell Behind on Debt, Worst Since 2010
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Oct 9
Fed Says 20% of U.S. Families Fell Behind on Debt, Worst Since 2010
3 articles · Updated · CNBC · Oct 9
Summary
Nearly 20% of U.S. families were behind on loan payments at the end of 2025, up from about 12% in 2022 and the highest share since the 2010 survey, the Federal Reserve said.
More severe strain also rose: families at least two months behind increased to more than 8% from 5%, while those with debt payments above 40% of income climbed to 8.6%, the highest since 2013.
The deterioration came during continued economic growth but after inflation surged to levels not seen since the early 1980s; a New York Fed survey this week likewise found households felt worse off and expected further weakening.
Wealth and income data were mixed: real median family income rose 7% and average net worth increased 7% to $1.24 million, but median net worth edged up just 2% to $215,900 as gains skewed to higher earners.
That left inequality only slightly narrower overall, with top-income families' median net worth up 31% while families in the bottom quarter by income saw median net worth fall 6%.