The household debt ratio decreased by 30%

The debt ratio, ie debt as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), of households has decreased by nearly 30% and non-financial corporations by 57% in the last five years, the Central Bank said in a statement. the quarterly financial statements it published on Monday.

Specifically, household assets in financial instruments at the end of December 2021 amounted to 57,9 billion euros, of which 61% relates to cash, deposits and loans, 2% relates to securities, 20% shares and 17% other financial assets. Their debt amounted to 2021 billion euros at the end of December 20,1, with the relevant debt ratio being at 86% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), showing a slight decrease compared to the previous quarter due to GDP growth. However, compared to December 2016, the household debt ratio shows a significant decrease of up to 30%.

Similarly, the corresponding assets of non-financial corporations amounted to € 65,7 billion with a ratio of 17% in cash and deposits, 5% in loans, 1% in securities, 48% in shares and 29% in other financial assets. The sector's debt at the end of December 2021 amounted to 36,2 billion euros with the debt ratio being at 155% of GDP, recording a slight decrease compared to the previous quarter mainly due to GDP growth. However, compared to December 2016, the debt ratio of non-financial companies shows a significant decrease of up to 57%.

The assets of insurance companies also show a small increase, which in terms of purely financial instruments amounted to 4,3 billion euros and is distributed as follows: 11% in cash and deposits, 3% in loans, 24% in securities, 49% in shares and 14% in other financial data.

Respectively, the investment institutions have assets in financial instruments 8,2 billion euros invested 5% in cash and deposits, 13% in loans and securities, 80% in shares and 3% in other financial elements.

Investments in financial instruments of the pension funds amounted to 3,9 billion euros and mainly concern cash and deposits at a rate of 26%, 15% in loans, 3% in securities, 44% in shares and 11% in other financial elements.