Between January and April 2026, 2.6 million new collection claims were registered. This represents a decrease of 9.9 percent compared to the same period last year, when the corresponding figure was 2.9 million.
Just in April, Swedes received 635,525 new claims. The downward trend shows that fewer new cases are ending up with collection agencies, indicating a change in how consumers manage their expenses.
The statistics suggest that households are adapting to a weaker economic situation by becoming more restrained. But we also see that debts are remaining outstanding for longer, says Fredrik Engström, chairman of Svensk Inkasso.
More Unpaid Claims Remain
Behind the reduced inflow of new cases lies a challenge in closing existing debts. The number of new claims still exceeds the number of cases finally settled, resulting in an increase in the total amount of money to be collected.
At the beginning of the year, the total collection debt was 143 billion kronor. The development during the spring indicates that this sum has continued to rise.
The net increase in unpaid claims during the first four months of the year amounted to plus 107,031 cases, confirming that the process of settling debts is taking more and more time.
Even though more households need more time to pay, we see that individual solutions work for the vast majority. The most important thing is to contact them in time. For most people, a collection claim does not pose a risk of falling into long-term debt, says Fredrik Engström.
Small Amounts Dominate
When examining which amounts most often end up with collection agencies, it is the smaller expenses that repeatedly stand out. In April, 84 percent of all new cases concerned amounts under 5,000 kronor.
Even though household margins have shrunk and repayment times have been extended, the vast majority of cases are handled without the involvement of authorities. Of all collection claims, nine out of ten are paid before the case is transferred to the Swedish Enforcement Administration.