Americans are falling deeper into debt. The latest data reveals a troubling shift in household finances. • 19.6% of families reported overdue loan payments in 2025, the highest level since 2010. • That’s up sharply from 12.2% in 2022. • More than 8% of families were at least two months behind on payments, compared with just 5% in 2022. • Meanwhile, the typical family’s debt burden has remained relatively unchanged since 2022. That last point is especially concerning. Families aren’t necessarily taking on more debt. They’re struggling to keep up with the debt they already have. Higher living costs, borrowing expenses, and tighter household budgets can put growing pressure on consumers. And when consumers struggle, the impact can spread. Less spending. More financial stress. Greater pressure on lenders and the broader economy. The key question now is whether this is a temporary squeeze or an early warning sign of a deeper slowdown. Watch consumer debt closely. It could reveal more about the health of the US economy than headline growth figures alone.