Which financial ratio assesses an individual’s ability to manage monthly payments and repay debts?

The Debt to Income Ratio is a crucial financial metric used to evaluate an individual's capacity to manage payments and repay debts. This ratio measures the proportion of a person's monthly income that goes towards servicing debt obligations, such as mortgages, car loans, credit card payments, and other liabilities. By comparing an individual's monthly debt payments to their gross monthly income, lenders can determine how much of the borrower's income is already allocated towards debt, which helps assess the risk of further lending. A lower ratio typically indicates a better ability to manage debt, while a higher ratio may suggest financial strain.

In the context of securing loans or credit, this ratio is significant because it provides insight into an individual's financial health and ability to comfortably make future payments in addition to their existing debt obligations. This makes it an essential factor in lending decisions.