18% of those who seek debt assistance are couples
Reykjavík. Morgunblaðið/Sigurður Bogi
More individuals now seek assistance from the Debtors Ombudsman (UMS) for financial problems. In addition, telephone consultations and messages sent by individuals have been increasing.
“It’s clear that the economic situation is starting to affect people in society and alongside the general increase in applications, we see an increase in applicants in groups such as married couples and cohabiting partners,” says Ásta Sigrún Helgadóttir, the Debtors’ Ombudsman, in a statement from the office.
Majority in the rental market
In recent years, most applicants have been singles. In 2023, the largest group of applicants remained singles, with the number of married couples and cohabiting partners increasing for the third year in a row. In 2022, married couples and cohabiting partners made up 4% of applicants, and in 2023, 9%, but now they account for 18%.
In terms of residence, the majority of those who seek assistance are in the rental market, or 60% in 2023 and 66% so far in 2024.
Increased number of employed applicants
Disabled workers have been the largest group of applicants in terms of employment status, accounting for 37% of all applicants in 2023, and about 34% of applicants so far in 2024.
The number of employed applicants is increasing and they are now the largest group or 45%. In 2023, in comparison, 34% of applicants were employed and 35% in 2022. The number of unemployed applicants has decreased from 25% in 2023 to 16% in 2024.
