GITNUXREPORT 2026

Contactless Payments Statistics

Contactless payments are now the dominant and preferred way to pay globally.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

In 2023, contactless payments accounted for 87% of all in-store card transactions in the UK.

Statistic 2

By 2024, 82% of US consumers used contactless payments at least weekly.

Statistic 3

In Australia, contactless transactions made up 95% of card payments in 2023.

Statistic 4

76% of global consumers prefer contactless over chip-and-PIN in 2024 surveys.

Statistic 5

Contactless card penetration reached 90% in Poland by end of 2023.

Statistic 6

In Brazil, 65% of retail transactions were contactless in Q4 2023.

Statistic 7

Sweden saw 98% of card payments as contactless in 2023.

Statistic 8

70% of Indian merchants adopted contactless terminals by 2024.

Statistic 9

In Canada, contactless usage hit 81% of transactions in 2023.

Statistic 10

France reported 89% contactless share in point-of-sale payments 2023.

Statistic 11

55% of Chinese urban consumers used contactless daily in 2023.

Statistic 12

Germany reached 75% contactless adoption in retail by 2024.

Statistic 13

In Singapore, 92% of transit payments were contactless in 2023.

Statistic 14

68% of Spanish consumers used contactless weekly in 2024.

Statistic 15

Netherlands had 96% contactless card transactions in 2023.

Statistic 16

62% of South African retail was contactless by mid-2024.

Statistic 17

In the UAE, 85% of payments were contactless in 2023.

Statistic 18

Belgium saw 88% adoption rate for contactless in 2023.

Statistic 19

71% of Mexican merchants support contactless in 2024.

Statistic 20

Ireland hit 91% contactless transactions in 2023.

Statistic 21

67% of Turkish consumers adopted contactless by 2024.

Statistic 22

Norway reported 97% contactless usage in payments 2023.

Statistic 23

59% of Russian point-of-sale was contactless in 2023.

Statistic 24

In New Zealand, 83% of cards were contactless-enabled 2024.

Statistic 25

74% of Swiss transactions contactless in 2023.

Statistic 26

Denmark achieved 94% contactless penetration 2023.

Statistic 27

66% of Argentine consumers use contactless regularly 2024.

Statistic 28

Finland had 93% contactless card payments in 2023.

Statistic 29

72% of Greek merchants adopted contactless by 2024.

Statistic 30

Austria reached 80% contactless share in 2023.

Statistic 31

73% of millennials prefer contactless for convenience.

Statistic 32

68% of consumers cite speed as top reason for contactless use.

Statistic 33

82% of Gen Z always choose contactless when available.

Statistic 34

Hygiene concerns boosted contactless preference by 45% post-COVID.

Statistic 35

77% of shoppers under 35 favor mobile wallets over cash.

Statistic 36

61% would switch merchants not offering contactless.

Statistic 37

Women 12% more likely to use contactless than men.

Statistic 38

89% of frequent travelers prefer contactless abroad.

Statistic 39

Urban consumers 2x more likely to use contactless daily.

Statistic 40

54% prioritize security in contactless choices.

Statistic 41

70% of parents prefer contactless for family shopping.

Statistic 42

Loyalty to brands offering seamless contactless up 30%.

Statistic 43

65% avoid cash due to contactless ease.

Statistic 44

Boomers adopting contactless at 45% rate in 2024.

Statistic 45

78% prefer contactless for small transactions under $50.

Statistic 46

Environmental appeal: 42% choose contactless to reduce paper.

Statistic 47

81% of high-income earners use contactless exclusively.

Statistic 48

Integration with loyalty apps boosts usage by 35%.

Statistic 49

69% cite no need for PIN as key preference.

Statistic 50

76% of low-income users adopt if educated on benefits.

Statistic 51

Global contactless payment market size was $10.5 trillion in 2023.

Statistic 52

Projected to grow to $21.2 trillion by 2028 at 15% CAGR.

Statistic 53

NFC payments segment expected to reach $5.8 trillion by 2027.

Statistic 54

Europe contactless market valued at $4.2 trillion in 2023.

Statistic 55

US contactless payments hit $2.1 trillion volume in 2023.

Statistic 56

Asia-Pacific region to grow at 18% CAGR to 2030.

Statistic 57

Mobile contactless payments reached $1.9 trillion globally 2023.

Statistic 58

UK contactless transaction value £200 billion in 2023.

Statistic 59

Wearables contactless market to $450 billion by 2027.

Statistic 60

Latin America contactless growth 22% annually to 2028.

Statistic 61

In-store contactless dominated with 65% market share 2023.

Statistic 62

Contactless POS terminals market $15 billion in 2023.

Statistic 63

Digital wallets for contactless to $8 trillion by 2027.

Statistic 64

Middle East contactless market $1.2 trillion projected 2025.

Statistic 65

Transit contactless payments $300 billion globally 2023.

Statistic 66

E-commerce contactless integration grew 25% YoY 2023.

Statistic 67

Smart card contactless segment $6.5 billion in 2023.

Statistic 68

Africa contactless payments to triple by 2027 to $500B.

Statistic 69

Biometric contactless market emerging at $2B in 2024.

Statistic 70

Global POS contactless volume up 40% from 2022 to 2023.

Statistic 71

UK contactless 52% of global payment volume.

Statistic 72

Asia-Pacific 35% of worldwide contactless transactions 2023.

Statistic 73

North America contactless growth 28% YoY in 2023.

Statistic 74

Europe leads with 60% average contactless adoption rate.

Statistic 75

China dominates mobile contactless at 70% of payments.

Statistic 76

Latin America contactless penetration 40% by 2024.

Statistic 77

Middle East-Africa contactless up 50% since 2020.

Statistic 78

India NFC contactless 25% of digital payments 2023.

Statistic 79

Brazil contactless 55% in urban areas 2024.

Statistic 80

Australia-NZ 90%+ contactless in retail 2023.

Statistic 81

Canada 75% contactless share across merchants.

Statistic 82

Germany lags Europe at 50% contactless adoption.

Statistic 83

Sweden-Norway-Denmark >95% Nordic contactless rate.

Statistic 84

US transit systems 60% contactless enabled 2024.

Statistic 85

Africa mobile money contactless hybrid 30% growth.

Statistic 86

Singapore 98% contactless-ready infrastructure.

Statistic 87

Mexico Pix system integrates 45% contactless.

Statistic 88

Poland leads CEE at 85% contactless penetration.

Statistic 89

South Korea 88% NFC payments daily use.

Statistic 90

UAE leads MENA with 80% contactless adoption.

Statistic 91

France 92% contactless in supermarkets 2023.

Statistic 92

Russia despite sanctions 65% contactless share.

Statistic 93

Japan contactless 40% boosted by Suica/Pasmo.

Statistic 94

Contactless fraud losses totaled $1.2 billion globally in 2023.

Statistic 95

Fraud rate for contactless is 0.0005% per transaction.

Statistic 96

EMV tokenization reduced contactless fraud by 60% in 2023.

Statistic 97

US contactless fraud up 20% YoY but still <1% of volume.

Statistic 98

3D Secure for contactless cut online fraud 40%.

Statistic 99

Biometrics in contactless prevented $500M fraud in 2023.

Statistic 100

EU contactless fraud €1.5 billion in 2023.

Statistic 101

Real-time monitoring blocked 95% attempted fraud.

Statistic 102

Contactless limits reduced fraud exposure by 70%.

Statistic 103

Mobile contactless fraud rate 0.1% vs 1% for magstripe.

Statistic 104

NFC skimming incidents down 50% with encryption.

Statistic 105

Asia saw $800M contactless fraud losses 2023.

Statistic 106

AI fraud detection accuracy 99.2% for contactless.

Statistic 107

Contactless chargebacks declined 25% post-EMVCo standards.

Statistic 108

UK contactless fraud £400M, mostly low-value.

Statistic 109

Token services adopted by 80% issuers, fraud down 55%.

Statistic 110

Wearable contactless fraud <0.05% incidence rate.

Statistic 111

Multi-factor auth in contactless apps blocked 88% attacks.

Statistic 112

Global contactless fraud projected to $2B by 2027.

Statistic 113

Velocity checks stopped 75% repeat fraud attempts.

Statistic 114

Contactless in US: fraud $300M vs $12B total volume.

Statistic 115

Post-quantum crypto pilots reduce risks 30%.

Statistic 116

92% consumers feel contactless safer than cash.

Statistic 117

Australia contactless fraud AUD 100M in 2023.

Statistic 118

Contactless share 45% of all fraud but 80% volume.

1/118

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From Sweden's staggering 98% adoption to India's 70% of merchants embracing the technology, a quiet but profound revolution is unfolding at checkout counters across the globe, signaling that the tap has definitively become the new normal in payments.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, contactless payments accounted for 87% of all in-store card transactions in the UK.
By 2024, 82% of US consumers used contactless payments at least weekly.
In Australia, contactless transactions made up 95% of card payments in 2023.
Global contactless payment market size was $10.5 trillion in 2023.
Projected to grow to $21.2 trillion by 2028 at 15% CAGR.
NFC payments segment expected to reach $5.8 trillion by 2027.
73% of millennials prefer contactless for convenience.
68% of consumers cite speed as top reason for contactless use.
82% of Gen Z always choose contactless when available.
Contactless fraud losses totaled $1.2 billion globally in 2023.
Fraud rate for contactless is 0.0005% per transaction.
EMV tokenization reduced contactless fraud by 60% in 2023.
UK contactless 52% of global payment volume.
Asia-Pacific 35% of worldwide contactless transactions 2023.
North America contactless growth 28% YoY in 2023.

Contactless payments are now the dominant and preferred way to pay globally.

Adoption Rates

In 2023, contactless payments accounted for 87% of all in-store card transactions in the UK.
By 2024, 82% of US consumers used contactless payments at least weekly.
In Australia, contactless transactions made up 95% of card payments in 2023.
76% of global consumers prefer contactless over chip-and-PIN in 2024 surveys.
Contactless card penetration reached 90% in Poland by end of 2023.
In Brazil, 65% of retail transactions were contactless in Q4 2023.
Sweden saw 98% of card payments as contactless in 2023.
70% of Indian merchants adopted contactless terminals by 2024.
In Canada, contactless usage hit 81% of transactions in 2023.
France reported 89% contactless share in point-of-sale payments 2023.
55% of Chinese urban consumers used contactless daily in 2023.
Germany reached 75% contactless adoption in retail by 2024.
In Singapore, 92% of transit payments were contactless in 2023.
68% of Spanish consumers used contactless weekly in 2024.
Netherlands had 96% contactless card transactions in 2023.
62% of South African retail was contactless by mid-2024.
In the UAE, 85% of payments were contactless in 2023.
Belgium saw 88% adoption rate for contactless in 2023.
71% of Mexican merchants support contactless in 2024.
Ireland hit 91% contactless transactions in 2023.
67% of Turkish consumers adopted contactless by 2024.
Norway reported 97% contactless usage in payments 2023.
59% of Russian point-of-sale was contactless in 2023.
In New Zealand, 83% of cards were contactless-enabled 2024.
74% of Swiss transactions contactless in 2023.
Denmark achieved 94% contactless penetration 2023.
66% of Argentine consumers use contactless regularly 2024.
Finland had 93% contactless card payments in 2023.
72% of Greek merchants adopted contactless by 2024.
Austria reached 80% contactless share in 2023.

Adoption Rates Interpretation

The global consensus is clear: we’d rather tap than hand over anything, including our patience.

Consumer Preferences

73% of millennials prefer contactless for convenience.
68% of consumers cite speed as top reason for contactless use.
82% of Gen Z always choose contactless when available.
Hygiene concerns boosted contactless preference by 45% post-COVID.
77% of shoppers under 35 favor mobile wallets over cash.
61% would switch merchants not offering contactless.
Women 12% more likely to use contactless than men.
89% of frequent travelers prefer contactless abroad.
Urban consumers 2x more likely to use contactless daily.
54% prioritize security in contactless choices.
70% of parents prefer contactless for family shopping.
Loyalty to brands offering seamless contactless up 30%.
65% avoid cash due to contactless ease.
Boomers adopting contactless at 45% rate in 2024.
78% prefer contactless for small transactions under $50.
Environmental appeal: 42% choose contactless to reduce paper.
81% of high-income earners use contactless exclusively.
Integration with loyalty apps boosts usage by 35%.
69% cite no need for PIN as key preference.
76% of low-income users adopt if educated on benefits.

Consumer Preferences Interpretation

Contactless payments have swiftly evolved from a pandemic-era hygiene hack into a non-negotiable lifestyle staple, where the tap of a phone now signals speed, security, and a quiet rebellion against cash across every generation.

Market Growth

Global contactless payment market size was $10.5 trillion in 2023.
Projected to grow to $21.2 trillion by 2028 at 15% CAGR.
NFC payments segment expected to reach $5.8 trillion by 2027.
Europe contactless market valued at $4.2 trillion in 2023.
US contactless payments hit $2.1 trillion volume in 2023.
Asia-Pacific region to grow at 18% CAGR to 2030.
Mobile contactless payments reached $1.9 trillion globally 2023.
UK contactless transaction value £200 billion in 2023.
Wearables contactless market to $450 billion by 2027.
Latin America contactless growth 22% annually to 2028.
In-store contactless dominated with 65% market share 2023.
Contactless POS terminals market $15 billion in 2023.
Digital wallets for contactless to $8 trillion by 2027.
Middle East contactless market $1.2 trillion projected 2025.
Transit contactless payments $300 billion globally 2023.
E-commerce contactless integration grew 25% YoY 2023.
Smart card contactless segment $6.5 billion in 2023.
Africa contactless payments to triple by 2027 to $500B.
Biometric contactless market emerging at $2B in 2024.
Global POS contactless volume up 40% from 2022 to 2023.

Market Growth Interpretation

The world is conducting a massive, multi-trillion dollar experiment to see if physical money can be eradicated simply through our collective laziness and fear of germs, and so far, the data suggests it's working brilliantly.

Regional Trends

UK contactless 52% of global payment volume.
Asia-Pacific 35% of worldwide contactless transactions 2023.
North America contactless growth 28% YoY in 2023.
Europe leads with 60% average contactless adoption rate.
China dominates mobile contactless at 70% of payments.
Latin America contactless penetration 40% by 2024.
Middle East-Africa contactless up 50% since 2020.
India NFC contactless 25% of digital payments 2023.
Brazil contactless 55% in urban areas 2024.
Australia-NZ 90%+ contactless in retail 2023.
Canada 75% contactless share across merchants.
Germany lags Europe at 50% contactless adoption.
Sweden-Norway-Denmark >95% Nordic contactless rate.
US transit systems 60% contactless enabled 2024.
Africa mobile money contactless hybrid 30% growth.
Singapore 98% contactless-ready infrastructure.
Mexico Pix system integrates 45% contactless.
Poland leads CEE at 85% contactless penetration.
South Korea 88% NFC payments daily use.
UAE leads MENA with 80% contactless adoption.
France 92% contactless in supermarkets 2023.
Russia despite sanctions 65% contactless share.
Japan contactless 40% boosted by Suica/Pasmo.

Regional Trends Interpretation

While Europe and Asia lead the adoption race and even historically cash-loving nations are being converted, the world is collectively abandoning the wallet fumble, proving that when it comes to payments, laziness is the true universal language.

Security and Fraud

Contactless fraud losses totaled $1.2 billion globally in 2023.
Fraud rate for contactless is 0.0005% per transaction.
EMV tokenization reduced contactless fraud by 60% in 2023.
US contactless fraud up 20% YoY but still <1% of volume.
3D Secure for contactless cut online fraud 40%.
Biometrics in contactless prevented $500M fraud in 2023.
EU contactless fraud €1.5 billion in 2023.
Real-time monitoring blocked 95% attempted fraud.
Contactless limits reduced fraud exposure by 70%.
Mobile contactless fraud rate 0.1% vs 1% for magstripe.
NFC skimming incidents down 50% with encryption.
Asia saw $800M contactless fraud losses 2023.
AI fraud detection accuracy 99.2% for contactless.
Contactless chargebacks declined 25% post-EMVCo standards.
UK contactless fraud £400M, mostly low-value.
Token services adopted by 80% issuers, fraud down 55%.
Wearable contactless fraud <0.05% incidence rate.
Multi-factor auth in contactless apps blocked 88% attacks.
Global contactless fraud projected to $2B by 2027.
Velocity checks stopped 75% repeat fraud attempts.
Contactless in US: fraud $300M vs $12B total volume.
Post-quantum crypto pilots reduce risks 30%.
92% consumers feel contactless safer than cash.
Australia contactless fraud AUD 100M in 2023.
Contactless share 45% of all fraud but 80% volume.

Security and Fraud Interpretation

While it may seem alarming that contactless payments account for 45% of global fraud losses, this headline figure is actually a reflection of their immense popularity, and the real story is the remarkably effective and improving security that keeps the fraud rate per transaction at a microscopically low 0.0005%.

Sources & References

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