The article examines the socio-demographic profile of consumer debt holders among older populations in East and West European regions, using logistic regression models applied to data from the 7th wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). The aim of the study is to identify the key determinants of debt holding among adults aged 50 and over and to examine whether and how these determinants differ between Eastern and Western European countries. The article examines the following factors: age group, gender, marital status, household size, education level, economic activity, health limitations, net wealth, dwelling ownership, risk aversion, and region. The results, based on a dataset of 43,943 individuals across 19 countries, show that younger age, male gender, married status, higher education, and economic activity are positively associated with holding consumer debt in both regions, while higher net wealth and homeownership are negatively related to debt. Regional differences in debt holding become non-significant once demographic characteristics are controlled for, indicating that age, gender, marital status, and household size play a more decisive role than region alone. Health limitations are found to be negatively rather than positively associated with debt, suggesting that individuals with restricted activity face reduced access to credit rather than an increased need for borrowing. Risk aversion is unexpectedly positively associated with debt holding, pointing to a possible precautionary use of debt among risk-averse individuals rather than the conventional assumption that risk-takers borrow more. Sensitivity analysis across six nested models confirms the stability of these associations, with all major predictors remaining statistically significant at the 1% level. The study uses logistic regression methods, which allow for a systematic comparison of demographic, structural, health, economic, and psychological determinants of debt across historically distinct institutional contexts. Recommendations include developing tailored financial literacy initiatives for financially active but less wealthy older individuals, improving transparency in credit assessment practices for older borrowers, and designing financial products that better match the income volatility and health risks faced by this population. The article highlights the value of comparative, cross-regional analysis in revealing how life-cycle, structural, and psychological factors jointly shape household debt behavior among Europe’s ageing populations.

Keywords: household debt, older population, socio-demographic profile, East and West European

Regions, logistic regression

JEL classification: D14, D91, I31, P27

Giga Kikoria, „Socio-Demographic Profile of the Debt Holders of Older Populations in East and West European Regions“, J. Folia Oeconomica Stetinensia, Volume 26 (2026) Issue 1,

DOI: 10.2478/foli-2026-0007 | 133–150

ISSN (print): 1730-4237 | ISSN (online): 1898-0198