Multiple outlets report estimates that China’s consumer-debt problems are substantial and could pose risks to the broader economy. The figures cited suggest a backlog of “bad” or delinquent consumer debt totaling about $300 billion. One estimate says as much as 10.6% of China’s adult population—about 1.1 billion people—were behind on debt payments as of the end of 2025. The reports frame the issue as a potential economic concern because large-scale nonpayment can affect household finances and may increase stress in lending and related financial channels.
While the sources do not provide detailed methodology, they converge on the same core numbers: the approximate size of the delinquent-debt pile (around $300 billion), the delinquency share (up to 10.6% of adults), and the reference date (end of 2025). The coverage does not name the specific data provider or clarify whether the “bad debt” definition is based on missed payments beyond a certain period, but all sources present the estimate as signaling elevated credit risk for households and the financial system.
