The number of people behind on debt repayments has increased by five percent in the year to October.

Data by credit bureau Centrix shows the number of missed home loan repayments has risen for the third month in a row.

Meanwhile, demand for consumer credit has risen, with personal loan demand up around 18 percent and vehicle loan demand up 17.3 percent year on year.

Centrix Managing Director Keith McLaughlin told Mike Hosking there had been a downward trend in arrears over the past five years, so it's quite a reversal.

He says it's a signal of what may happen in the future.

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