Many are struggling with finances and at the same time this year’s Christmas gift is record expensive. It is particularly tough for those who have taken out quick loans to shop or pay off other loans, says Anna Huzell, budget and debt advisor in Huddinge municipality:
– The interest rates have increased and it becomes more and more expensive to pay back the loans and then you can’t make it together anymore, she says.
Despite the fact that the budget and debt counselors see an increased pressure of people seeking help, they want to draw the attention of even more people to apply to them. Therefore, today they stood at the shuttle station in Huddinge to hand out mulled wine, gingerbread and more information about the counseling in Huddinge.
Highest debt amount in Huddinge, Haninge, Botkyrka and Södertälje
Statistics from the Crown Prosecutor shows that the number of indebted people in the Stockholm region has decreased over a longer period since 2013, while the total amount of debt has skyrocketed.
– When you are already in debt, strangely enough, you can still borrow more money before it comes to a halt. We think it is too easy to borrow money today, says Anna Huzell.
Apart from the city of Stockholm, the debt amounts among private individuals are highest in Huddinge, Haninge, Botkyrka and Södertälje. Here, the debt amounts were over one billion kroner per municipality in 2022. The highest amount was the municipality of Södertälje, with around 1.4 billion kroner in debt.