The Dutch are increasingly in debt, according to a report published on Thursday by the local authorities’ research unit SGBO. The average debt of people seeking help has risen over the past four years from €16,413 to €21,786.

The SGBO also reports that the help given by the councils is less successful. In 2003 half of the debtors were successfully helped. That has now fallen to 31%.
Around 80,000 Dutch people seek help with their debts, of which around 43,000 actually received assistance. Research by the ministry of social affairs shows that between 100,000 and 160,000 people are behind with their mortage, gas, water and electricity payments.