WeHelpFinance Research Center
Data-driven research on consumer debt, credit card trends, inflation impact, and financial hardship facing American households. Published for consumers, journalists, and policymakers.
Featured Reports
Credit Card Debt Statistics 2026: A Comprehensive Analysis of American Consumer Debt
American credit card debt hit record levels in 2025–2026. This report analyzes national balances, delinquency rates, age and income group disparities, and what the data means for the 130+ million Americans carrying a credit card balance.
Key finding:
Total US credit card debt exceeded $1.17 trillion in Q1 2026
Consumer Debt Trends 2026: Household Debt, Personal Loans, and the Debt Settlement Surge
Total household debt in the US reached $17.9 trillion in early 2026. This report examines the composition of American household debt, the growth of personal lending, rising demand for debt settlement, and the economic pressures shaping consumer borrowing behavior.
Key finding:
Total US household debt: $17.9 trillion as of Q1 2026
AI Layoffs and Household Debt: How Technology Sector Job Losses Are Driving a Consumer Debt Crisis
Technology sector layoffs accelerated by AI adoption eliminated over 280,000 positions in 2024–2025. This report examines the financial aftermath — how displaced tech workers are managing housing costs, credit card debt, and diminished savings in a changed labor market.
Key finding:
Technology sector eliminated approximately 280,000+ positions in 2024–2025
All Research Reports
Credit Card Debt Statistics 2026: A Comprehensive Analysis of American Consumer Debt
American credit card debt hit record levels in 2025–2026. This report analyzes national balances, delinquency rates, age and income group disparities, and what the data means for the 130+ million Americans carrying a credit card balance.
Key finding:
Total US credit card debt exceeded $1.17 trillion in Q1 2026
Consumer Debt Trends 2026: Household Debt, Personal Loans, and the Debt Settlement Surge
Total household debt in the US reached $17.9 trillion in early 2026. This report examines the composition of American household debt, the growth of personal lending, rising demand for debt settlement, and the economic pressures shaping consumer borrowing behavior.
Key finding:
Total US household debt: $17.9 trillion as of Q1 2026
AI Layoffs and Household Debt: How Technology Sector Job Losses Are Driving a Consumer Debt Crisis
Technology sector layoffs accelerated by AI adoption eliminated over 280,000 positions in 2024–2025. This report examines the financial aftermath — how displaced tech workers are managing housing costs, credit card debt, and diminished savings in a changed labor market.
Key finding:
Technology sector eliminated approximately 280,000+ positions in 2024–2025
Inflation and Household Debt: How Rising Prices Created a Consumer Debt Crisis for Middle America
Cumulative inflation from 2021 through 2025 increased essential household costs by an estimated 22–28% for middle-income families. This report analyzes how sustained inflation drove credit card dependency, eroded savings, and created a structural debt burden for millions of American households.
Key finding:
Cumulative essential cost inflation 2021–2025: approximately 22–28% for middle-income households
Credit Card Interest Rate Report 2026: APR Trends, Real Costs, and What Consumers Can Do
Average credit card APRs reached 22.8% in 2025 — the highest on record. This report analyzes APR trends, the real dollar cost of carrying a balance at current rates, historical comparisons, and the options available to consumers trapped in high-interest credit card debt.
Key finding:
Average credit card APR reached 22.8% in 2025 — highest on record
About This Research
The WeHelpFinance Research Center publishes original analysis of consumer debt trends, credit market conditions, and financial hardship data affecting American households. Our research team draws on Federal Reserve data, CFPB reports, Bureau of Labor Statistics publications, and financial industry research to produce accessible, data-driven reports.
Reports are published for educational purposes and are designed to help consumers, journalists, policy researchers, and financial professionals better understand the consumer debt landscape.