Where are Europe's most financially resilient consumers?

Despite steady improvements in consumer confidence across Europe in 2024, many households continue to grapple with financial challenges. Intrum's European Consumer Payment Report (ECPR) reveals that, while more consumers are paying bills on time, regional disparities and heavy reliance on short-term credit highlight ongoing economic fragility. The survey offers a snapshot of financial resilience across Europe, showing that while Southern Europeans rank high in timely payments, many Northern households remain vulnerable.

Payment trends

Credit cards & loans

Vulnerability

Younger Europeans struggle to keep up with rising costs

Europe’s economic recovery has been uneven across generations, with younger consumers facing greater financial challenges than their older counterparts. Intrum’s latest European Consumer Payment Report (ECPR) reveals that while many Boomers are navigating economic pressures successfully, Millennials and Gen Z consumers are struggling to keep up with rising costs, often turning to credit to bridge the gap.

Payment trends

Credit cards & loans

Vulnerability

Corporate indebtedness in Europe

Corporate indebtedness in Europe has become a critical concern as economic pressures push insolvency rates higher. With businesses facing mounting challenges from inflation, supply chain disruptions, and rising interest rates, understanding how these factors interplay is key to navigating the uncertain road ahead.

Financial outlook

Payment trends

2024: €10.5 trillion oustanding receivables

European businesses estimate that they are owed a staggering €10.5 trillion in receivables, an amount close to the combined GDP of France, Germany, and the UK. As this sum grows, the risk of late or unpaid invoices increases, putting significant pressure on businesses' cash flow, liquidity, and potential for future growth.

Financial outlook

Payment trends

AI's growing role in credit management

As AI continues to evolve, European businesses are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to enhance credit management and improve payment processes. According to the European Payment Report 2024, businesses see AI as an essential tool in handling the complexities of late payments and fraud detection, but there are also significant risks involved.

AI

Payment trends

Automation

European companies spend 73 days chasing debt in 2024

A significant burden for European businesses, late payments consume an average of 73 business days. This article explores the variations in time lost across different countries, highlighting the ongoing challenges of managing receivables in the current economic landscape.

Debt collection

Payment trends

Payment discipline: which countries take longest to pay?

Payment terms and actual payment times remain a critical area of focus for businesses across Europe. Which country has best and worst payment discipline?

Payment trends

Consumers are confident about meeting their commitments

Insights from a pulse survey conducted in January 2024, indicate a positive development as some consumers feel that their household finances are improving. Consumers are confident about meeting their commitments – but financial wellness is about more than paying bills

Payment trends

Wellbeing

Europe's €275bn problem

The time that businesses spend chasing late invoices and negotiating payment terms soon adds up. According to our 2023 survey data, the average European business spends around 10-and-a-half hours each week chasing customers for payment. This is costing Europe a quarter of a trillion euros a year.

Debt collection

Payment trends

Payment trends

Articles