More Americans are going bankrupt. What does that mean?

The bankruptcy rate has risen about 48% between 2022 and 2025, although it's still below pre-pandemic levels.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3240x2328+0+0/resize/3240x2328!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb8%2F2c%2F6e81bd2e4f9fa9b3c90ff6fc5557%2Fap21062421446501.jpg' alt='In this March 5, 2012 file photo, consumer credit cards are posed in North Andover, Mass.'/><p>The bankruptcy rate has risen about 48% between 2022 and 2025, although it's still below pre-pandemic levels.</p><p>(Image credit: Elise Amendola)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=nx-s1-5896065' />