The Bank of Korea has published borrower-level household debt statistics for the first quarter of 2026 showing that new household borrowing per borrower increased from the previous quarter, led by mortgage lending, while the average outstanding household loan balance was broadly flat. Newly issued household loans per borrower rose to KRW 35.42 million, up KRW 0.99 million quarter on quarter, and newly issued mortgage loans per borrower increased to KRW 229.39 million, up KRW 16.53 million. The increase in new lending was concentrated among borrowers in their 30s, borrowers in the Seoul metropolitan area, borrowers using non-bank financial institutions, and mortgage borrowers. As of end-Q1 2026, the average household loan balance per borrower stood at KRW 97.40 million, up KRW 0.01 million from the previous quarter, while the average mortgage loan balance rose by KRW 1.79 million to KRW 160.06 million. The release notes that the statistics are based on sample credit data and that the Q1 2026 figures are preliminary. The preliminary Q1 2026 data will be finalized when the next quarter's statistics are released.
Bank of Korea2026-05-22
Bank of Korea reports newly issued household loans per borrower rose to KRW 35.42 million in Q1 2026 on higher mortgages
The Bank of Korea published preliminary borrower-level household debt statistics for Q1 2026 showing higher new household borrowing per borrower, driven by mortgage lending, while average outstanding balances remained broadly flat. Newly issued household loans per borrower rose to KRW 35.42 million, concentrated among borrowers in their 30s in the Seoul metropolitan area and using non-bank financial institutions, while the average household loan balance per borrower stood at KRW 97.40 million and the average mortgage loan balance at KRW 160.06 million.