Digital payments are gaining ground in Belgium, especially among young people. This is according to the Digital Payments Barometer 2024, a survey conducted in collaboration with Febelfin, Bancontact Payconiq, Mastercard and Visa. The results show that mobile payment adoption continues to rise, with nearly half of Belgians (49%) having already made mobile payments at least once.

📱 Mobile payments popular among Gen Z

Mobile payments are particularly embraced by young people between the ages of 16 and 24.
47% of this group uses QR codes, while 50% make payments using wearables such as smartwatches. This marks a clear shift: for young people, mobile payments are now more preferred than contactless card payments.

🔐 Cryptocurrencies gaining popularity

Although 89% of Belgians are familiar with cryptocurrencies, only 20% own them. Among young people, however, this is much higher: more than half of 16- to 24-year-olds own cryptocurrencies, mainly as an investment. This shows the growing interest in new forms of payment among younger generations.

💳 Contactless payment remains the standard

Contactless card payments are now well established, with 82% of Belgians using this payment method regularly. Especially 45- to 54-year-olds feel comfortable with contactless payments, with 84% of them using this form of payment without any problems.

💶 Digital payments continue to dominate

More than 80% of Belgians prefer digital payments to cash, a trend that is even stronger among young people. Less than half of 16- to 24-year-olds still use cash, underscoring the shift to digital payments in this generation.

🛒 Debit cards dominate online purchases

Online shopping remains popular in Belgium, with debit cards preferred for payments. Yet younger generations are more often choosing payment applications such as Payconiq for small amounts, indicating a new shift towards more flexible digital payment options.

At Axepta BNP Paribas, we offer tailor-made solutions for this digital transformation. From mobile and contactless payments to online payment solutions, we make sure your business is ready for the future.