Around 320,000 people in the north are heavily in debt - Overindebtedness rises in Northern Germany despite slight regional improvements
In Northern Germany, over 320,000 people are grappling with overindebtedness, a rise of two percent nationwide to 5.67 million. While Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein both saw slight decreases in their overindebtedness rates, the number of affected adults increased in both states.
Hamburg's overindebtedness rate dropped marginally from 8.23% in 2024 to 8.15% in 2025. Despite this, the number of adults affected rose by about 2,000 to approximately 120,000. In Schleswig-Holstein, the rate decreased slightly from 8.19% to 8.14%, but the number of overindebted adults increased by about 1,000 to around 200,000.
The Stormarn district in Schleswig-Holstein has the lowest overindebtedness rate at 5.32%. Conversely, Neumünster in the same state has the highest rate at 15.67%. Across Germany, Bavaria has the lowest overindebtedness rate, while North Rhine-Westphalia ranks 13th. The Minister-President of Schleswig-Holstein, Daniel Günther, is not explicitly linked to these rising numbers.
Despite slight decreases in overindebtedness rates in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, the number of affected adults continues to rise. Regional disparities persist, with some areas like Neumünster facing significantly higher rates. Nationwide, over 5.67 million people are struggling with overindebtedness, highlighting the ongoing need for support and policy attention.
