Cashless countries: Which are the forefront of the cashless revolution?

• % of population (aged 15+) with a credit card

• % of population (aged 15+) with a debit card

• Contactless payment limits

• Number of major e-wallet operators available

• Number of ATMs per 100,000 adults

Using a weighted ranking system, the study then assigned a score to each country in the index, revealing the most cashless countries in Europe and the World.

Norway is Europe’s most cashless economy

Leading the way with cashless payments, the latest World Bank data shows 98% of Norwegians (aged 15+) own a debit card. Norway also has one of the lowest numbers of ATMs per 100,000 adults in Europe at 31.58.

Nordic nations account for four of the 10 most cashless countries in Europe, with Finland ranking third behind Switzerland.

The UK is Europe’s 4th most cashless economy. The latest World Bank data shows 91% of Brits (aged 15+) own a debit card and 65% (aged 15+) own a credit card.

Canada is the world’s most cashless economy

Leading the way with cashless payments, the latest World Bank data shows 83% of the population (aged 15+) own a credit card – the highest usage in the world.

Canada also has the highest contactless payment limit in the world at $250 CAD (£147~).

Hong Kong takes second place, with the latest figures showing that 4 in 5 (83%) of Hong Kong’s citizens (aged 15+) own a debit card and 4 major e-wallets are in operation – Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and Alipay.

Commenting on the results of the Cashless Countries report, James Andrews, senior personal finance expert at money.co.uk, explains how the pandemic may have changed the way we use money forever.

“Even prior to the coronavirus pandemic, we were beginning to see a global shift away from paper money towards electronic payments.

However, the Coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly accelerated this.

In the past 12 months, we’ve witnessed more than 40 countries increase the limits for contactless payments and in the UK the Government has placed emphasis on using contactless methods of payment where possible.

The move away from banknotes and coins towards plastic payments and e-wallets presents many advantages.

Cashless payments will allow for quick and easy transactions when international travel fully resumes, and the creation of digital paper trails could help reduce tax fraud and money laundering.

From the retailers’ side, it means less time spent sorting out a float at the start of the day, quicker transactions and fewer trips to deposit takings in the bank – as well as less risk from theft.

However, as with many technological advancements there is some concern that the change could leave vulnerable individuals behind.

As things stand, shops are also well within their rights to refuse cash payments in the UK if they choose to go fully cashless – potentially excluding people unwilling or unable to pay with a card or smart device.

That means any move towards a fully cashless economy will need to be met with infrastructural changes, as well as potentially legislative ones, to ensure every individual within a society has what they need in order to pay for essential goods and services.”

To find out more about cash usage and digital payments CLICK HERE