Are We Addicted to Debt?

How sustainable is the current model of debt-fueled consumption, and what risks does it pose for the future? What factors drive this global surge in debt?

This day we started with new insights from Atif Mian, Professor of Economics at Princeton University. In this Fireside Chat, Mian provided insights from his research on the steady rise in global debt and the decline in long-term interest rates since the 1980s. He also examines how increasing income inequality and “financialization” have led to higher savings, falling interest rates, and a growing reliance on debt-fueled consumption.

The discussion was held in English and moderated by Paula Roth, Researcher at SHoF.