The number of payment cards in circulation worldwide grew by over two billion between 2019 and 2021, and is forecast to further increase. The source adds that some of the largest brands on cards issued across the world include UnionPay, Visa, and MasterCard. Roughly 188 billion purchase transactions were made using Visa in 2020 - an increase of 1.3 percent.
Number of credit, debit and prepaid cards in circulation worldwide from 2017 to 2021, with forecasts for 2023, 2025, and 2026
(in billions)
The figures have been taken from several publications, see the "Details" tab for more information
Supplementary notes
The 2018 figure and 2023 forecast were made in 2019, whereas the 2019 figure and 2025 forecast were made in 2020. The 2021 number and 2026 forecast were released in 2021.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Statista Accounts:
Access All Statistics. Starting from $468 / Year
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
The Nilson Report. (October 31, 2021). Number of credit, debit and prepaid cards in circulation worldwide from 2017 to 2021, with forecasts for 2023, 2025, and 2026 (in billions) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 18, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1080756/number-payment-cards-in-circulation-worldwide/
The Nilson Report. "Number of credit, debit and prepaid cards in circulation worldwide from 2017 to 2021, with forecasts for 2023, 2025, and 2026 (in billions)." Chart. October 31, 2021. Statista. Accessed May 18, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1080756/number-payment-cards-in-circulation-worldwide/
The Nilson Report. (2021). Number of credit, debit and prepaid cards in circulation worldwide from 2017 to 2021, with forecasts for 2023, 2025, and 2026 (in billions). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 18, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1080756/number-payment-cards-in-circulation-worldwide/
The Nilson Report. "Number of Credit, Debit and Prepaid Cards in Circulation Worldwide from 2017 to 2021, with Forecasts for 2023, 2025, and 2026 (in Billions)." Statista, Statista Inc., 31 Oct 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1080756/number-payment-cards-in-circulation-worldwide/
The Nilson Report, Number of credit, debit and prepaid cards in circulation worldwide from 2017 to 2021, with forecasts for 2023, 2025, and 2026 (in billions) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1080756/number-payment-cards-in-circulation-worldwide/ (last visited May 18, 2022)
