The number of requests for payment orders to the Swedish Enforcement Authority increased by 12 percent in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year. At the same time, the amount of debt has increased by 35 percent.
During the first half of this year, the Swedish Enforcement Authority received 609,000 applications for payment orders, i.e. claims for unpaid debts. Last year, 545,000 were received during the same period, an increase of 12 percent. The amount of debt in the claims has also increased and currently stands at SEK 14.6 billion, an increase of 35 percent since the first half of 2022, which is the highest figure ever.
– It is clear that many people are finding it difficult to get enough money. We have received more claims and significantly higher amounts of debt than in previous years. These include bills from debt collectors and banks, as well as housing and electricity costs. This is a worrying development, says Davor Vuleta, spokesman for personal finance at the Swedish Enforcement Authority, in a press release.
Debts between SEK 100,000 and 500,000 have increased by SEK 2 billion compared to the first half of 2022. These are often various types of unsecured loans from banks, credit companies, and companies that buy up delinquent debt.
In addition, smaller debts are also growing, and about half of all debts that come to the Swedish Enforcement Authority are less than SEK 3,000.
The number of debts has increased for all age groups, but most for people over 65. However, the largest increase in the amount of debt has been among people aged 35-44 and 45-54, where the amount has increased by SEK 1.2 billion and SEK 1 billion respectively.
In January it was reported that Swedes’ debts to Kronofogden totalled SEK 101 billion.
