Statistical news focuses on the latest figures and trends in Danmarks Nationalbank’s statistics. Statistical news is targeted at people who want quick insight into current financial data.
Interest-only mortgage debt approaching 50 per cent
Interest-only mortgage debt has increased month by month since autumn 2024 and reached kr. 911.8 billion at the end of August. This means that 48.7 per cent of homeowners’ total mortgage debt is interest-only. Interest-only debt is thus approaching the level of amortising mortgage debt. This is because amortising debt has increased more moderately, and because homeowners continuously reduce their mortgage debt through regular instalments. This is not the first time that the share of interest-only debt has approached 50 per cent. From 2009 to 2017, more than half of mortgage lending to Danish homeowners was interest-only.
Interest-only debt is catching up with amortising debt
Note:
The chart shows households’ (sector 1400) outstanding mortgage debt (nominal value) secured against owner-occupied homes and summer houses at the end of the reference period. The breakdown into amortising and interest-only debt indicates the share of debt on which instalments are or are not currently being paid during the reference period. Find the data here (link).
Homeowners in Greater Copenhagen, North Zealand and Aarhus have the highest share of interest-only mortgage debt
Although interest-only mortgage debt has increased and accounts for a larger share nationwide, there are considerable differences across municipalities. Since 2024, the share of interest-only debt has increased in almost two out of three municipalities. The share is highest in municipalities on Zealand, particularly in North Zealand and Greater Copenhagen, as well as in Aarhus. In the municipalities Gentofte, Hørsholm and Rudersdal, more than 70 per cent of homeowners’ mortgage debt are interest-only. By contrast, less than 21 per cent of homeowners’ mortgage debt is interest-only in the municipalities of Billund, Lolland and Tønder.
The share of interest-only loans varies across municipalities.
Note:
The figure shows the share (per cent) of households’ (sector 1400) outstanding mortgage debt (nominal value) secured against owner-occupied homes and summer houses in each municipality that was interest-only at the end of June 2026. Find the data here (link).