debt slaves

Debt slaves are people bound to work for creditors until debts are repaid—a condition that historically could last generations when interest outpaced earnings.

The term now typically describes those trapped in cycles of debt that consume most of their income, whether from student loans, medical bills, or predatory lending: We're all just debt slaves to the banks.

The phrase carries political charge, often used to critique economic systems that keep workers perpetually indebted.