Americans continue to struggle under the weight of crushing debt. Consumers owed an average of $104,755 as of mid-2025 — down slightly from $105,580 a year earlier — according to credit bureau Experian. (1) But debt burdens vary sharply by age.
Here’s the average balance breakdown by generation, and the change from 2024:
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Gen Z: $34,328, +7.8%
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Millennials: $132,280, +1.6%
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Gen X: $158,105, -0.8%
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Baby boomers: $92,619, -2.1%
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Silent generation: $38,460, -1.1%
These numbers reflect all types of personal debt, including auto loans, credit cards, HELOCs, mortgages, personal loans, retail store cards and student loans. Still, it’s no wonder many households are turning to debt relief programs for help. But…