"Anxiety Over Housing Prices Drives 'Yeongkkeul': Largest 5-Year Surge in Mortgage Loans for Under-30s [2025 National Audit]"

Outstanding Mortgage Loans for Those in Their 30s and Younger Up 9.4 Trillion Won in Q2
Other Loans Surge Among Seniors
"Government Must Address Policy Blind Spots"

In the second quarter of this year, the increase in outstanding mortgage loans among those in their 30s and younger reached its highest level in the past five years. Experts point out that anxiety over soaring housing prices has led people in their 20s and 30s to purchase homes by “maxing out” their borrowing capacity.

According to data received on October 20 by Assemblyman Cha Kyugeun of the National Assembly's Strategy and Finance Committee from the Bank of Korea, the outstanding mortgage loan balance for those in their 30s and younger in the second quarter of this year was 241 trillion won, an increase of 9.4 trillion won compared to the first quarter-the largest increase among all age groups. This quarterly increase was also the largest in the past five years. For those aged 60 and older, the balance increased by 5.7 trillion won in the second quarter, while for those in their 50s, it rose by 1 trillion won. In contrast, the balance for those in their 40s decreased by 800 billion won. The outstanding mortgage loan balance for those in their 30s and younger surpassed that of those in their 50s (240.2 trillion won) in the second quarter, making it the second highest after the 40s age group (301 trillion won).

In the case of other loans such as credit card loans and unsecured loans, the outstanding balance had been steadily declining since the first quarter of 2022, but increased again in the second quarter of this year. By age group, the balance for those aged 60 and older increased the most, reaching 202.6 trillion won, and the balance for those in their 30s and younger also rose. However, the balances for those in their 40s and 50s both decreased.

Meanwhile, when household loan balances are divided into the banking sector and non-banking sector, those in their 30s and younger saw the largest increase in the banking sector, with an increase of 9.8 trillion won-more than any other age group. The balances for those in their 50s and those aged 60 and older also increased, while the balance for those in their 40s decreased.

In the non-banking sector, the outstanding balance had been declining in the first quarter of this year but increased again in the second quarter. By age group, the balance for those aged 60 and older increased the most, while the balance for those in their 30s also rose. In contrast, the balances for those in their 40s and 50s decreased.

Assemblyman Cha stated, "The increase in mortgage loans among those in their 30s and younger has reached its highest level in the past five years, and this age group also saw the largest increase in the banking sector among all age groups." He added, "For those aged 60 and older, the largest increases were seen in other loans and in the non-banking sector." He emphasized, "This indicates that people aged 60 and older are increasingly becoming financially vulnerable. The government must ensure that there are no blind spots in support policies for seniors."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.