Survey shows - Digital payment is on the rise
In Germany, contactless payment has strongly established itself in the last few years. More and more people use their Smartphone or smartwatch for payments in their daily life. According to a recent survey by the Digital Association Bitkom, almost all Germans occasionally make contactless payments, and the desire for legal regulations requiring businesses to accept electronic payment methods is growing.
Contactless payment is becoming the norm in Germany. According to a representative survey by the Digital Association Bitkom, 59 percent of Germans regularly use their Smartphone or smartwatch for payments at the cash register. Including traditional bank or credit cards, 98 percent of the surveyed population occasionally use contactless payment methods.
The acceptance for electronic payment is growing continuously. Around 76 percent of the surveyed population express dissatisfaction when contactless payment is not possible. In addition, 73 percent support a legal requirement that businesses should offer electronic payment methods in addition to cash.
Electronic payment methods: The older generation is open-minded
Remarkably, even in the older generation, the demand for electronic payment options is high. In the group of over 65-year-olds, 72 percent are of the opinion that they should also be able to make contactless payments. 70 percent of this age group support a corresponding legislative regulation.
The frequency of contactless payment varies. So, 12 percent of the interviewees pay contactlessly several times a day, 29 percent daily, and 30 percent several times a week. With the use of Smartphones or Smartwatches, 10 percent pay several times a day, 15 percent daily, and 19 percent several times a week.
Almost everyone pays something electronically in the course of a year
The trend is generational. Among 16- to 29-year-olds, 99 percent have made contactless payments in the last twelve months, among 30- to 49-year-olds the share is 100 percent, among 50- to 64-year-olds 98 percent, and even among the over 65-year-olds, it is 93 percent.
The Corona pandemic has accelerated the use of electronic payment. 80 percent of Germans report that they have used less cash in the past few years. Moreover, 62 percent assume that they will use cash even less frequently in the future. However, 50 percent admit that they spend more money when making electronic payments.
Bitkom President Dr. Ralf Wintergerst emphasizes the advantages of electronic payment: "It is fast, convenient, secure, and efficient for businesses. The freedom of choice in payment should be self-evident everywhere."
- The survey shows that 72% of the over 65-year-olds in Germany also want the option to make contactless payments using their Smartphone or smartwatch.
- In the survey conducted by Bitkom, 98% of the population in Germany occasionally use contactless payment methods, including traditional bank or credit cards.
- With the growing demand for contactless payments, 73% of the surveyed individuals support a legal requirement for businesses to offer electronic payment methods alongside cash.
- The trend of electronic payment usage is generational, with 99% of 16- to 29-year-olds having made contactless payments in the last twelve months.
