Deutes

Deutes is a term in the Catalan language that refers to obligations to repay borrowed money or other forms of owed performance. The singular deute means debt, and deutes is its plural. Debts arise when a borrower receives value with a promise to repay in the future, often with interest. The concept encompasses personal, corporate, and public borrowings, and it is central to both everyday finance and macroeconomic policy.

Debt takes several forms. Secured debts are backed by collateral, such as a mortgage or auto loan; unsecured debts rely on the borrower's creditworthiness, such as most credit card balances. Debt can be issued as loans, bonds, promissory notes, or lines of credit. Terms vary in amount, maturity, interest rate, and repayment schedule. Interest payments constitute the ongoing cost of holding debt.

Economically, debt enables investment and consumption beyond current income, but excessive or poorly managed debt raises default risk and may harm credit ratings, investment, and growth. Public debt relative to GDP, interest service costs, and debt maturity structures are used to assess sustainability.

Debt management involves planning repayment, refinancing, or restructuring as needed. Households may pursue budgeting and consolidation; governments evaluate fiscal policy and debt sustainability; creditors assess credit risk. In some cases, debt relief or restructuring agreements are used to restore solvency.

Related topics include loans, credit, bankruptcy, and fiscal policy.