Household debt figures for Scotland, from the ONS.
22%
Borrowing more than usual 2026
In the period 1 July to 27 September 2026, 22% of adults in Scotland reported having had to borrow more money or use more credit than usual in the last month, compared with a year earlier.
Source: Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: household finances by personal characteristics, 1 July to 27 September 2026, Office for National Statistics, Q3 2026
Opinions and Lifestyle Survey fieldwork 1 July to 27 September 2026 (13 weeks, published 16 October 2026). Adults aged 16 and over, Great Britain. Table question: Have you had to borrow more money or use more credit than usual in the last month, compared to a year ago? [note 1][note 2][note 3][note 4][note 5][note 6][note 7][note 8][note 9][note 10] Sample size 880; 95% confidence interval 17 to 26 percent.
26%
Borrowing more than usual 2025
In the period 2 July to 28 September 2025, 26% of adults in Scotland reported having had to borrow more money or use more credit than usual in the last month, compared with a year earlier.
Source: Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: household finances by personal characteristics, 2 July to 28 September 2025, Office for National Statistics, Q3 2025
Opinions and Lifestyle Survey fieldwork 2 July to 28 September 2025 (13 weeks, published 17 October 2025). Adults aged 16 and over, Great Britain. Table question: Have you had to borrow more money or use more credit than usual in the last month, compared to a year ago? [note 1][note 2][note 3][note 4][note 5][note 6][note 7][note 8][note 9][note 10][note 11] Sample size 850; 95% confidence interval 21 to 30 percent.
27%
Unaffordable £850 expense Q3 2026
In the period 1 July to 27 September 2026, 27% of adults in Scotland reported that their household could not afford an unexpected but necessary expense of £850.
Source: Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: household finances by personal characteristics, 1 July to 27 September 2026, Office for National Statistics, Q3 2026
Opinions and Lifestyle Survey fieldwork 1 July to 27 September 2026 (13 weeks, published 16 October 2026). Adults aged 16 and over, Great Britain. Table question: Could your household afford to pay an unexpected, but necessary, expense of £850? [note 1][note 2][note 3][note 4][note 5][note 6][note 7][note 8][note 9] Sample size 880; 95% confidence interval 23 to 32 percent.
30%
Unaffordable £850 expense Q3 2025
In the period 2 July to 28 September 2025, 30% of adults in Scotland reported that their household could not afford an unexpected but necessary expense of £850.
Source: Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: household finances by personal characteristics, 2 July to 28 September 2025, Office for National Statistics, Q3 2025
Opinions and Lifestyle Survey fieldwork 2 July to 28 September 2025 (13 weeks, published 17 October 2025). Adults aged 16 and over, Great Britain. Table question: Could your household afford to pay an unexpected, but necessary, expense of £850? [note 1][note 2][note 3][note 4][note 5][note 6][note 7][note 8][note 9] Sample size 850; 95% confidence interval 25 to 35 percent.
6%
Unpaid bill Q3 2026
In the period 1 July to 27 September 2026, 6% of adults in Scotland reported having a direct debit, standing order or bill they had not been able to pay in the past month.
Source: Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: household finances by personal characteristics, 1 July to 27 September 2026, Office for National Statistics, Q3 2026
Opinions and Lifestyle Survey fieldwork 1 July to 27 September 2026 (13 weeks, published 16 October 2026). Adults aged 16 and over, Great Britain. Table question: Have you had a direct debit, standing order, or bill you have not been able to pay in the past month? [note 1][note 2][note 3][note 4][note 5][note 6][note 7][note 8][note 9] Sample size 880; 95% confidence interval 3 to 9 percent.
6%
Unpaid bill Q3 2025
In the period 2 July to 28 September 2025, 6% of adults in Scotland reported having a direct debit, standing order or bill they had not been able to pay in the past month.
Source: Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: household finances by personal characteristics, 2 July to 28 September 2025, Office for National Statistics, Q3 2025
Opinions and Lifestyle Survey fieldwork 2 July to 28 September 2025 (13 weeks, published 17 October 2025). Adults aged 16 and over, Great Britain. Table question: Have you had a direct debit, standing order, or bill you have not been able to pay in the past month? [note 1][note 2][note 3][note 4][note 5][note 6][note 7][note 8][note 9] Sample size 850; 95% confidence interval 3 to 8 percent.
46%
Households with financial debt 2020/22
46% of households in Scotland had financial debt in April 2020 to March 2022.
Source: Household debt: wealth in Great Britain, Table 7.5, Office for National Statistics, 2020 to 2022
Share of all households in the region. Wealth and Assets Survey round covering April 2020 to March 2022 (two survey years).
47%
Households with financial debt 2018/20
47% of households in Scotland had financial debt in April 2018 to March 2020.
Source: Household debt: wealth in Great Britain, Table 7.5, Office for National Statistics, 2018 to 2020
Share of all households in the region. Wealth and Assets Survey round covering April 2018 to March 2020 (two survey years).
4%
Households with problem debt
4% of households in Scotland had problem debt in April 2018 to March 2020.
Source: Household debt: wealth in Great Britain, Table 7.16, Office for National Statistics, 2018 to 2020
Problem debt is defined by the publisher as having liquidity problems, solvency problems or both. Estimates based on fewer than 30 unweighted cases are suppressed by the publisher.
8%
Financial debt a heavy burden
8% of individuals with financial debt in Scotland found their financial debts a heavy burden in April 2020 to March 2022.
Source: Household debt: wealth in Great Britain, Table 7.9, Office for National Statistics, 2020 to 2022
Self-reported burden, individuals aged 16 and over not in full-time education.
£4,000
Median household financial debt
The median financial debt of households in Scotland with financial debt was £4,000 in April 2020 to March 2022.
Source: Household debt: wealth in Great Britain, Table 7.5, Office for National Statistics, 2020 to 2022
Median among households with financial debt. Nominal terms.