Many analysts have expressed concern about the growth of consumer debt and its effect on the U.S. economy. Some fear that the combination of increasing debt and higher interest rates will impair the ability of households to meet their monthly financial obligations. However, interest payments as a percentage of disposable income have actually fallen since the end of the recession in 2001. Total household debt has increased since the end of the recession, but the vast majority of the increase can be attributed to the growth of home mortgage debt spurred by historically low mortgage interest rates.