The news: Gen Z’s credit card debt is growing faster than that of any other generation, according to data from Credit Karma.
- Gen Z credit card balances averaged $3,328 in Q2, a 4.23% increase from $3,193 in Q1.
- Despite this growth, Gen Z still holds the least credit card debt of any generation.
The bigger picture: It’s getting harder for consumers to pay off their entire monthly credit card balances.
- More than half (51%) of US consumers can’t pay off their entire balance each month and accrue interest on the balance, according to a survey from JD Power.
- This is the highest level in years: The percentage ranged from 40% to 50% between 2018 and 2022, per JD Power.
Record-high credit card interest rates have helped propel consumer credit debt to new heights. US consumer credit card debt surpassed $1 trillion for the first time in July, per Federal Reserve Economic Data.
Why it matters: Delinquency rates, while increasing, have normalized to pre-pandemic levels. But certain economic factors could push delinquencies to worrying levels, particularly among Gen Zers.
- Inflation remains above the Federal Reserve’s target, straining budgets. The core consumer price index (CPI), which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 4.7% YoY, per the Labor Department.
- Student loan payments will also resume in October, adding another financial burden on consumers. The average monthly payment is expected to be roughly $400 per borrower.
- And consumers’ excess pandemic savings are quickly dwindling, eroding a key safety net.