The matter of Why Have Personal Debt Levels Risen So High in Canada is gaining increasing attention as recent data reveals that Canadians are grappling with an escalating debt crisis. The current economic landscape, characterized by high inflation, increased borrowing costs, and a surge in housing prices, paints a worrying picture for the average Canadian household.
2. The Rise in Household Debt
2.1 A Growing Concern
Statistics Canada’s latest report shows concerning rise in household debt. The household credit market debt to disposable income ratio has risen to an alarming 184.5% in the first quarter of 2023, translating to $1.85 in credit market debt for every dollar of household disposable income.
2.2 Influence of Rising Interest Rates
TD economist Maria Solovieva predicts that debt servicing costs are anticipated to rise rapidly over the year, peaking in the second half of 2024. This is due to the expectation of rising interest rates, which could increase the pressure on households, especially those with high sensitivity to interest rates, such as variable rate mortgage holders.
2.3 Debt Servicing Ratio
The household debt service ratio, which represents the obligated payments of principal and interest on credit market debt as a proportion of household disposable income, has also risen. It hit 14.9% in the first quarter of 2023, up from 14.4% in the previous quarter.
3. Impact of Inflation and Increasing Debt Payments
The combination of higher inflation and debt payments has had a significant impact on household incomes. Nathan Janzen, the assistant chief economist at the Royal Bank of Canada, notes that these factors have absorbed all the growth in household after-tax incomes last year, and this trend is expected to continue in 2023.
4. Record Levels of Outstanding Debt
Canadian households borrowed $16.5 billion in the first quarter of 2023, inclusive of $11.2 billion in mortgage debt. The total seasonally adjusted stock of household credit market debt, including consumer credit, mortgage and non-mortgage loans, rose to $2.84 trillion.
5. The Role of the Bank of Canada
The Bank of Canada has a critical role to play in managing this rising household debt. The bank had paused its monetary tightening after its January hike but raised rates again recently due to the threat of entrenched inflation. Its overnight rate is now 4.75%, a significant increase from 0.25% in January of the previous year.
6. Canada’s Debt Status in the Global Context
Canada’s household debt surpasses that of any other G7 country, exceeding the value of the country’s entire economy. This alarming fact was highlighted in a report by Canada’s housing agency, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
7. Household Debt and the Economy
The CMHC’s deputy chief economist, warns that Canada’s economy is more susceptible to global economic crises due to the elevated level of household debt. Household debt now equates to 107% of Canada’s GDP, a significant increase from 80% in 2008.
8. The Housing Market and Household Debt
8.1 Mortgage Debt
Mortgage debt accounts for three-quarters of Canadian household debt. As house prices rise, so does the total amount of debt in the economy.
8.2 Housing Affordability
Reestablishing housing affordability in Canada will be critical to reducing household debt. The average home price in Canada is C$716,083, with prices in Toronto and Vancouver being significantly higher.
8.3 The Affordability Crisis
Economist Benjamin Tal describes Canada as being in the midst of an “affordability crisis,” particularly in the housing market. He suggests that part of the solution must come from a shift in perspective towards home ownership.
9. Comparison to Other Countries
9.1 United States and United Kingdom
In stark contrast to Canada, household debt in the U.S. and the U.K. has decreased over the past decade.
9.2 Australia
Among major Western nations, only Australia has a higher household debt rate as a share of its GDP, standing at 119%.
10. Measures to Address the Debt Crisis
10.1 Government Interventions
The Canadian government has been under increasing pressure to tackle the issue of housing unaffordability. Measures such as the two-year ban on foreigners buying homes in the country have been implemented to ease the housing affordability crisis.
10.2 Increasing Housing Supply
Calls have been made for officials to enact measures that will increase Canada’s housing supply. This is especially relevant as Canada’s population witnessed a record increase of more than a million people in 2022.
In conclusion, the question of Why Have Personal Debt Levels Risen So High in Canada can be attributed to a combination of factors, including rising interest rates, high inflation, increasing borrowing, and escalating housing prices. As Canada grapples with this mounting debt crisis, it becomes increasingly crucial to explore solutions that address the root causes and mitigate the long-term impacts on the economy and the wellbeing of Canadian households.