Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway were among the European countries with most indebted households in 2023 and 2024. The debt of Dutch households amounted to *** percent their disposable income in the 2nd quarter of 2024. Meanwhile, Norwegian households' debt represented *** percent of their income in the 3rd quarter of 2023. However, households in most countries were less indebted, with that ratio amounting to ** percent in the Euro area.
Less indebtedness in Western and Northern Europe
There were several European countries where household's debts outweighed their disposable income. Most of those countries were North or West European. However, the indebtedness ratio in Denmark has been decreasing during the past decade. As the debt of Danish households represented nearly *** percent in the last quarter of 2014, which has fallen very significantly by 2024. Other countries with indebted households have been following similar trends. The households' debt-to-income ratio in the Netherlands has also fallen from over *** percent in 2013 to *** percent in 2024.
Debt per adult in Europe
In Europe, the value of debt per adult varies considerably from an average of around 10,000 U.S. dollars in Europe to a much higher level in certain countries such as Switzerland. Debts can be formed in a number of ways. The most common forms of debt include credit cards, medical debt, student loans, overdrafts, mortgages, automobile financing and personal loans.
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OECD. (November 13, 2024). Household debt as a share of gross disposable income in selected countries in Europe in 2nd quarter 2024 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Retrieved August 01, 2026, from /statistics/1073593/household-debt-ratio-europe-by-country/
OECD. "Household debt as a share of gross disposable income in selected countries in Europe in 2nd quarter 2024." Chart. November 13, 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Accessed August 01, 2026. /statistics/1073593/household-debt-ratio-europe-by-country/
OECD. (2024). Household debt as a share of gross disposable income in selected countries in Europe in 2nd quarter 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc.. Accessed: August 01, 2026. /statistics/1073593/household-debt-ratio-europe-by-country/
OECD. "Household Debt as a Share of Gross Disposable Income in Selected Countries in Europe in 2nd Quarter 2024." ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc., 13 Nov 2024, /statistics/1073593/household-debt-ratio-europe-by-country/
OECD, Household debt as a share of gross disposable income in selected countries in Europe in 2nd quarter 2024 ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, /statistics/1073593/household-debt-ratio-europe-by-country/ (last visited August 01, 2026)
Household debt as a share of gross disposable income in selected countries in Europe in 2nd quarter 2024 [Graph], OECD, November 13, 2024. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1073593/household-debt-ratio-europe-by-country/