GITNUXREPORT 2025

Contactless Payments Statistics

Contactless payments expected to surpass 70% of global in-store transactions by 2025.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

80% of millennials worldwide prefer using contactless payments over cash

Statistic 2

In 2022, 65% of users in Germany preferred contactless payments over card swiping or cash

Statistic 3

75% of online shoppers prefer using contactless payment methods for their convenience

Statistic 4

Contactless payment adoption is highest among urban populations, with 78% usage in major cities worldwide

Statistic 5

Contactless payment options are available in more than 100 countries worldwide

Statistic 6

Urban areas have a contactless payment penetration rate of over 80%, compared to 55% in rural regions, illustrating the urban-rural divide

Statistic 7

Over 70% of global in-store transactions are expected to be contactless by 2025

Statistic 8

In the United States, contactless payments grew by 150% between 2020 and 2022

Statistic 9

Contactless payments account for approximately 60% of all in-store card transactions in the UK

Statistic 10

Nearly 85% of merchants in Australia now accept contactless payments

Statistic 11

Contactless payments saw a 200% increase in usage during the COVID-19 pandemic

Statistic 12

The adoption rate of contactless payments in retail stores across India increased by 50% in 2022

Statistic 13

Approximately 70% of smartphone users worldwide have used NFC for contactless payments at least once

Statistic 14

The average ticket value for contactless transactions is 20% higher than for cash transactions

Statistic 15

More than 50 countries have implemented national initiatives to promote contactless payments

Statistic 16

90% of retail locations in Singapore accept contactless payment methods

Statistic 17

Contactless payments accounted for 40% of all card transactions in Canada in 2022

Statistic 18

The use of wearables for contactless payments has increased by 70% in the past two years

Statistic 19

55% of consumers in France used contactless payments as their primary method during 2022

Statistic 20

85% of contactless transactions are completed within 10 seconds, emphasizing convenience

Statistic 21

Contactless payments in public transit systems have increased by 150% in major cities globally over the last three years

Statistic 22

Approximately 35% of small and medium-sized enterprises worldwide now accept contactless payments

Statistic 23

The average transaction value for contactless payments is approximately $50, compared to $20 for cash transactions

Statistic 24

In the EU, contactless card payments are used by over 65% of cardholders

Statistic 25

The deployment of contactless payment terminals in retail stores increased by 40% in North America during 2022

Statistic 26

Adoption of contactless payments among seniors (65+) has grown by 35% in the last two years, indicating increasing digital inclusion

Statistic 27

In 2022, contactless payment transactions in the Middle East increased by 70%, driven by increased mobile penetration

Statistic 28

Contactless payment adoption rates are highest among Generation Z, with 78% having used such methods regularly

Statistic 29

85% of retailers across Europe now accept contactless payments, highlighting widespread adoption

Statistic 30

The average number of contactless transactions per user increased by 60% globally from 2021 to 2023, indicating rising popularity

Statistic 31

Contactless card issuance in Africa increased by 40% during 2022, supported by new digital banking initiatives

Statistic 32

72% of small retailers in the UK have adopted contactless payment terminals since 2020, promoting faster checkout

Statistic 33

The use of tap-to-pay via wearables is increasing by 38% annually worldwide, highlighting comfort and convenience

Statistic 34

Teen usage of contactless payment methods has doubled in the last three years, now representing 47% of teenagers

Statistic 35

Contactless payments in the hospitality sector grew by 30% in 2022, as businesses sought safer, contactless interactions

Statistic 36

60% of consumers in Japan used contactless payment methods in 2023, with mobile payments being the dominant method

Statistic 37

The number of contactless card transactions in Europe increased by 45% in 2022

Statistic 38

The global contactless payment market was valued at $10 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $22 billion by 2027

Statistic 39

In Asia-Pacific, mobile contactless payments are expected to represent 45% of all digital payment transactions by 2025

Statistic 40

Contactless card issuance in Latin America increased by 35% in 2022

Statistic 41

The number of contactless POS terminals worldwide increased by 31% in 2022

Statistic 42

Emerging markets have seen a 60% increase in mobile contactless payment transactions over the past three years

Statistic 43

Contactless-enabled ATMs grew by 25% globally in 2022, providing more access to cashless payments

Statistic 44

The global mobile wallet market size was valued at $1.76 trillion in 2022 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 25% till 2030

Statistic 45

The use of NFC-enabled devices for contactless payments reached 1.2 billion devices in 2022, up from 800 million in 2020

Statistic 46

The mobile contactless payment user base in Russia grew by 50% in 2022, driven by increased smartphone penetration

Statistic 47

Contactless payment technology adoption is projected to increase at a CAGR of 18% over the next five years, reaching nearly 80% of global card transactions by 2028

Statistic 48

The number of contactless payment cards issued in China crossed 1 billion in 2022, reflecting rapid adoption

Statistic 49

Studies show that contactless payments reduce transaction times by an average of 15 seconds per purchase

Statistic 50

Contactless payments reduce transaction costs for merchants by an average of 10%

Statistic 51

Contactless payment fraud cases remain below 1% of total contactless transactions globally

Statistic 52

The introduction of biometric authentication has increased security and trust in contactless payments, with 65% of users in 2023 citing security concerns as less problematic

Statistic 53

Contactless payment fraud remains below 1% of total transactions worldwide, emphasizing the security of this payment method

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Sources

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Key Highlights

Over 70% of global in-store transactions are expected to be contactless by 2025
The number of contactless card transactions in Europe increased by 45% in 2022
In the United States, contactless payments grew by 150% between 2020 and 2022
80% of millennials worldwide prefer using contactless payments over cash
Contactless payments account for approximately 60% of all in-store card transactions in the UK
The global contactless payment market was valued at $10 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $22 billion by 2027
Studies show that contactless payments reduce transaction times by an average of 15 seconds per purchase
In Asia-Pacific, mobile contactless payments are expected to represent 45% of all digital payment transactions by 2025
Contactless card issuance in Latin America increased by 35% in 2022
Nearly 85% of merchants in Australia now accept contactless payments
Contactless payments saw a 200% increase in usage during the COVID-19 pandemic
In 2022, 65% of users in Germany preferred contactless payments over card swiping or cash
The adoption rate of contactless payments in retail stores across India increased by 50% in 2022

As contactless payments are transforming the way we shop and pay—rising dramatically across continents, with over 70% of in-store transactions expected to be contactless by 2025—the future of cashless commerce has never looked more promising or more pervasive.

Consumer Preferences

80% of millennials worldwide prefer using contactless payments over cash
In 2022, 65% of users in Germany preferred contactless payments over card swiping or cash
75% of online shoppers prefer using contactless payment methods for their convenience

Consumer Preferences Interpretation

With a clear generational and global shift towards speed and convenience, contactless payments are not just a trend but the new currency of modern commerce, leaving cash and swipes -- and maybe even traditional card readers -- behind.

Geographical Trends and Regional Adoption

Contactless payment adoption is highest among urban populations, with 78% usage in major cities worldwide
Contactless payment options are available in more than 100 countries worldwide
Urban areas have a contactless payment penetration rate of over 80%, compared to 55% in rural regions, illustrating the urban-rural divide

Geographical Trends and Regional Adoption Interpretation

While contactless payments have swiftly become an urban phenomenon embraced by over 80% of city dwellers across more than 100 countries, the stark rural-rural divide reminds us that digital financial inclusion still has miles to go beyond the city lights.

Market Adoption and Consumer Preferences

Over 70% of global in-store transactions are expected to be contactless by 2025
In the United States, contactless payments grew by 150% between 2020 and 2022
Contactless payments account for approximately 60% of all in-store card transactions in the UK
Nearly 85% of merchants in Australia now accept contactless payments
Contactless payments saw a 200% increase in usage during the COVID-19 pandemic
The adoption rate of contactless payments in retail stores across India increased by 50% in 2022
Approximately 70% of smartphone users worldwide have used NFC for contactless payments at least once
The average ticket value for contactless transactions is 20% higher than for cash transactions
More than 50 countries have implemented national initiatives to promote contactless payments
90% of retail locations in Singapore accept contactless payment methods
Contactless payments accounted for 40% of all card transactions in Canada in 2022
The use of wearables for contactless payments has increased by 70% in the past two years
55% of consumers in France used contactless payments as their primary method during 2022
85% of contactless transactions are completed within 10 seconds, emphasizing convenience
Contactless payments in public transit systems have increased by 150% in major cities globally over the last three years
Approximately 35% of small and medium-sized enterprises worldwide now accept contactless payments
The average transaction value for contactless payments is approximately $50, compared to $20 for cash transactions
In the EU, contactless card payments are used by over 65% of cardholders
The deployment of contactless payment terminals in retail stores increased by 40% in North America during 2022
Adoption of contactless payments among seniors (65+) has grown by 35% in the last two years, indicating increasing digital inclusion
In 2022, contactless payment transactions in the Middle East increased by 70%, driven by increased mobile penetration
Contactless payment adoption rates are highest among Generation Z, with 78% having used such methods regularly
85% of retailers across Europe now accept contactless payments, highlighting widespread adoption
The average number of contactless transactions per user increased by 60% globally from 2021 to 2023, indicating rising popularity
Contactless card issuance in Africa increased by 40% during 2022, supported by new digital banking initiatives
72% of small retailers in the UK have adopted contactless payment terminals since 2020, promoting faster checkout
The use of tap-to-pay via wearables is increasing by 38% annually worldwide, highlighting comfort and convenience
Teen usage of contactless payment methods has doubled in the last three years, now representing 47% of teenagers
Contactless payments in the hospitality sector grew by 30% in 2022, as businesses sought safer, contactless interactions
60% of consumers in Japan used contactless payment methods in 2023, with mobile payments being the dominant method

Market Adoption and Consumer Preferences Interpretation

With over 70% of global in-store transactions projected to be contactless by 2025, it seems cash is finally losing its old "green" grip — making checkout faster, safer, and less ceremonious, except perhaps for the last paper dollar.

Market Size, Growth, and Investment

The number of contactless card transactions in Europe increased by 45% in 2022
The global contactless payment market was valued at $10 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $22 billion by 2027
In Asia-Pacific, mobile contactless payments are expected to represent 45% of all digital payment transactions by 2025
Contactless card issuance in Latin America increased by 35% in 2022
The number of contactless POS terminals worldwide increased by 31% in 2022
Emerging markets have seen a 60% increase in mobile contactless payment transactions over the past three years
Contactless-enabled ATMs grew by 25% globally in 2022, providing more access to cashless payments
The global mobile wallet market size was valued at $1.76 trillion in 2022 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 25% till 2030
The use of NFC-enabled devices for contactless payments reached 1.2 billion devices in 2022, up from 800 million in 2020
The mobile contactless payment user base in Russia grew by 50% in 2022, driven by increased smartphone penetration
Contactless payment technology adoption is projected to increase at a CAGR of 18% over the next five years, reaching nearly 80% of global card transactions by 2028
The number of contactless payment cards issued in China crossed 1 billion in 2022, reflecting rapid adoption

Market Size, Growth, and Investment Interpretation

As contactless payments sprint into the mainstream with a 45% surge in Europe and a global market projected to double by 2027, it’s clear that paying without swiping isn’t just convenient—it's becoming the currency of the digital age, transforming from a nifty optional feature to the heartbeat of worldwide financial transactions.

Payment Technologies and Devices

Studies show that contactless payments reduce transaction times by an average of 15 seconds per purchase
Contactless payments reduce transaction costs for merchants by an average of 10%

Payment Technologies and Devices Interpretation

While contactless payments shave precious seconds off checkout lines and cut merchants' costs, their real value lies in transforming everyday transactions into swift, seamless experiences—proof that convenience and efficiency are increasingly the currency of commerce.

Security, Fraud, and Regulatory Aspects

Contactless payment fraud cases remain below 1% of total contactless transactions globally
The introduction of biometric authentication has increased security and trust in contactless payments, with 65% of users in 2023 citing security concerns as less problematic
Contactless payment fraud remains below 1% of total transactions worldwide, emphasizing the security of this payment method

Security, Fraud, and Regulatory Aspects Interpretation

With contactless fraud remaining below 1% globally and biometric authentication boosting user confidence, it's clear that tapping to pay is both convenient and increasingly secure—making stolen wallets a thing of the past.