Better Borrowing

Total household debt increased by $226 billion in 16Q4, and is just $99 billion below the peak of $12.7 trillion set in 08Q3. However, household debt is now just 67% of GDP, down from 85% at the peak. Moreover, back in 2008 housing-secured debt accounted for 79% of household liabilities, today it’s just 71%. Lastly, in 08Q3 8.5% of household debt was delinquent, while now the rate is 4.8%.