Mobile payments in the United States - statistics & facts
The coronavirus pandemic sped up digital payment developments across the world, and the United States was no exception. Indeed, the United States saw a bigger increase in NFC penetration than other countries worldwide: In 2021, more than four out of 10 U.S. smartphone users had used a contactless payment at least once 鈥 a figure comparable to South Korea. NFC is but one type of mobile payments, a category that can include mobile wallets used in a physical store, but also QR code payments or PayPal transactions via a smartphone. PayPal, especially, is popular in the United States but, although both are classed as a 鈥渕obile payment鈥 option, function somewhat differently. Regardless, many U.S. consumers experienced mobile payments for the first time during the pandemic to avoid the use of paper currency as well as debit and credit cards. Younger age groups, especially, tried these payment methods.
