According to a US survey, 21 percent of Americans believe that they won't be able to pay off their debts in their lifetime.

A survey of adults in the US has found that 21 percent of people with debts believe they won't be able to pay them off in their lifetime, a proportion which rises to 24 percent of those aged 50 to 64, and 35 percent of those aged 65 and older.

"According to the poll, 21 percent of those with debt predict they will never be rid of it. That's up from 18 percent in 2014 and 9 percent in 2013 who said their debt heading into the holiday season seemed insurmountable," reported Consumer website Creditcards.com, which carried out the survey.

People's outlook on debt varied according to demographic factors, including race, age and employment status. While 32 percent of unemployed people said they had no debt, just 16 percent of employed people said the same.

Hispanics (28 percent) were the most likely to be debt-free, followed by whites (26 percent). However, whites were also more likely than average to say they would never escape their debts, the survey found.

The poll revealed two distinct trends in personal finance; though many people struggle with unemployment and healthcare bills, others are able to take a more responsible approach to debt.

The pollsters remarked that since the recession in 2008-09 many people have reduced their debts and adopted healthier financial habits after years of becoming overextended on credit.

"In the second quarter of 2015, for instance, the percentage of US consumers who pay off their credit card balances every month reached a post-recession high of nearly 30 percent."