For an analysis of debt developments in 2020 overall, see “Nonfinancial private sector debt” in Part A of Statistical Bulletin for 2020 (translation forthcoming).

 

Following is a summary of developments in nonfinancial private sector debt[1] in the fourth quarter of 2020:

 

·         In the fourth quarter of 2020, there was a notable increase of about NIS 23 billion (2.4 percent) in the balance of business sector debt, due to an increase in outstanding bank debt.

·         The balance of households’ housing debt continued to increase in the fourth quarter, growing by about NIS 9 billion (2.2 percent).

·         The balance of nonhousing debt increased by about NIS 1 billion (0.4 percent) in the fourth quarter, and thus, for the first time in 2020, this balance is showing an increase, after the decline that began in the first quarter of the year, against the background of the COVID-19 crisis.

 


[1] Data on debt to banks is based on monthly balance data, not on the annual financial statements, as the reports for 2020 have not yet been published.