100 million Chinese consumers struggling with debt repayments

New Delhi, June 18 (IANS) About 100 million Chinese consumers are struggling to repay personal debt, highlighting a growing financial strain that could undermine Beijing’s efforts to revive domestic consumption and support economic growth, according to multiple reports.

Reports — citing Gavekal Dragonomics — claimed that non-performing household debt in China rose 21 per cent year-on-year to a record 2.22 trillion yuan (about $329 billion) in 2025.

The estimates suggest that around 10 per cent of China’s 1.1 billion adult population had fallen behind on debt repayments by the end of last year.

The report said rising defaults on credit cards, consumer loans and mortgages have emerged as a growing challenge for the world’s second-largest economy, prompting concerns over weakening household finances.

The debt burden is weighing on consumer spending, with banks becoming more cautious in extending new loans despite government efforts to stimulate demand.

In addition, China’s household debt has nearly tripled over the past decade to about 83 trillion yuan, fuelled in part by the rapid growth of digital lending platforms operated by major technology companies.

The report further noted that online lenders have aggressively expanded consumer credit by offering instant loans and simplified borrowing processes, particularly to younger consumers.

Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have begun taking steps to address the issue.

The People’s Bank of China introduced a credit-amnesty programme last year to help certain borrowers repair their credit records after clearing overdue debt.

The NPL ratio for credit card debt at Industrial & Commercial Bank of China, the biggest lender in the country with over 145 million active credit cards, increased by more than a percentage point to 4.61 per cent last year, surpassing the bank’s overall NPL ratio of 1.31 per cent.

Moreover, regulators have reportedly asked online lending platforms to lower borrowing costs and strengthen risk controls as concerns grow over rising consumer loan delinquencies.

The mounting debt stress comes as China’s economy continues to face headwinds from weak domestic demand, a prolonged property downturn and slowing consumer confidence.

–IANS

ag/