Over -indebtedness report 2025: Study: Disease remains the most important reason for over -indebtedness

Health problems remain the most common cause of over -indebtedness in Germany. This emerges from the “over -indebtedness report 2025” of the Institute for Financial Services (IFF). With 17.6 percent, most cases were based on health problems. Unemployment or reduced gainful employment was the trigger in 15.3 percent of the cases, according to the study based on data from 120 debt counseling centers. The divorce or separation follows with 9.1 percent.

According to the study, the analysis of more than 213,000 households makes it clear that over -indebtedness rarely arises from individual misconduct, but mostly through life crises such as illness, separation or unemployment. In addition, there would be increasing housing costs, income poverty and failed independence that quickly puts people financially to their limits.

School dropouts and singles are particularly at risk

According to the survey, people without graduation and single parents are particularly at risk. “Singles hits the increase in living costs particularly hard. They shoulder their fixed costs alone – often without a buffer for illness or job loss. The situation is also tightened with children in the household,” Iff director Sally Peters made clear.

Singles are also more looking for help from debt counseling centers in Germany than other population groups. More than every second person seeking advice (51.2 percent) lived in one household alone, as the Federal Statistical Office announced on the basis of data for 2024.

Overall, consulting cases from the period 2013 to 2024 were evaluated for the non -representative over -indebtedness report, almost 32,000 from last year.