Americans slash debt by 24 percent, but generational gaps persist: Study
Americans have decreased their nonmortgage debt over the past year, but a new report from LendingTree shows major generational differences in how much debt people carry.
Researchers analyzed more than 500,000 anonymized credit reports from residents of the 100 largest U.S. metro areas and found that median nonmortgage debt dropped 23.9 percent nationwide, from $24,668 last year to $18,762 this year.
Generation X holds the highest median debt of $26,207, even after a 22.6 percent drop from $33,859 last year. Millennials follow closely with $24,810, down 18.8 percent from $30,558.
Gen Z holds less overall, with an average of $12,715, but their debt has fallen by 23.2 percent. Baby boomers have the lowest median debt at $10,272, a decrease from $18,779.
The report found that Gen Xers are most likely to have auto debt, with 51 percent carrying a loan, and a median balance of $23,350. Millennials aren't far behind, with 49.1 percent holding auto loans averaging $21.233.
When it comes to student debt, Gen Z is most likely to have it, with 38.1 percent of them holding it; however, Gen X carries the largest balances. While just 22.5 percent of Gen Xers have student loans, those who do owe a median of $33,988, which is more than double the median of $13,391 for Gen Z.
Overall, credit card debt remains common across all generations.
Baby boomers are the most likely to carry a balance, with 92.6 percent reporting credit card debt. Even the youngest adults aren't exempt; 70.2 percent of Gen Zers have credit card debt.
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