Strong Growth, Weak Debt: Why the U.S. Economy Stands on Uneven Ground
The eSNAP dashboard shows a healthier overall score at 72/100, but household fragility, rising debt, and weak housing keep the economy at moderate risk.
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By The eSNAP TeamOctober 2, 2025
Daily Economic Snapshot — October 1, 2025
Economic Health Score: 72/100 (Moderate Risk)
Trend: → Stable
📊 Key Numbers Today
- GDP Growth: 3.8% (robust, projected to cool)
- Unemployment: 4.3% (steady, slight decline expected over the year)
- Inflation: 2.9% (well-controlled near Fed target)
- Housing: Score remains low at 45/100, with mortgage rates at 6.3%
- Debt: Household debt health down to 40/100 — credit card balances at $1.31T
- Savings: Personal savings rate still flat at 4.6%
🧐 What Stands Out
- Growth vs. Debt: Growth indicators (88/100) are strong, but the weak debt score (40/100) suggests the expansion is being financed with borrowing, not organic cash flow.
- Housing Drag: With affordability stuck at crisis levels (45/100), housing remains a barrier to mobility and wealth creation.
- Household Fragility: The overall fragility score slipped to 50/100, reflecting low savings and record reliance on credit.
💡 What This Means For You
- Borrowers: Rising leverage means higher household risk. Prioritize paying down high-interest credit cards.
- Families: Savings at 4.6% is far below healthy benchmarks. Even $50 automated monthly transfers build resilience.
- Homebuyers: Mortgage rates at 6.3% keep affordability strained. Waiting or exploring alternative financing may make sense.
- Investors: Strong growth masks cracks in household balance sheets. Consider hedging against potential credit shocks.
📝 Final Thought
The U.S. economy looks powerful on the surface — steady jobs, strong GDP, and stable inflation. But underneath, weak debt health and fragile households tell a different story. Growth fueled by borrowing is never sustainable forever.
👉 Track the daily updates at eSNAP.io.