Long-term debt problems among consumers have become more common since last year, according to a major credit agency. At the same time, the number of new payment defaults is falling, suggesting that the overall picture is mixed rather than uniformly worsening.

The trend matters because persistent debt problems can make it harder for households to manage everyday finances and access new credit. Yle News reported the figures as an important sign of how consumer payment ability is changing, even if the latest default data points in a slightly better direction.