Merchant Machine

The Rise of Digital & Mobile Wallets: 2021 Global Usage Stats


By: Ian Wright | Last Updated: April 25, 2025

The Rise of Digital & Mobile Wallets: 2019 Global Usage Stats

In the 21st century as more people rely on on convenience to make their transactions we look at how the rise of digital and mobile wallets has increased around the world and grown into a multi-billion dollar industry.

Sections

    • Number of users of leading mobile payment platforms worldwide
    • Mobile & Digital Wallet Usage By Country
    • Next-gen payment technology market transaction value worldwide 2015-2022
    • Overall Usage
    • Mobile & Digital Wallet Usage By Age Group
    • Usage of Various Digital Wallets
    • Support of Popular Mobile Wallets By Country
    • Usage Post Launch
    • Devices That Support Popular Mobile Wallets
  • Our Most Popular Guides

Number of users of leading mobile payment platforms worldwide

WalletUsers in millions
WeChat Pay600
Alipay400
PayPal210
Apple Pay87
Samsung Pay34
Amazon Pay33
Chase Pay28
Android Pay24

Mobile & Digital Wallet Usage By Country

CountryPercentage
China47%
Norway42%
UK24%
Japan20%
Australia19%
Colombia19%
Country average18%
United States17%
Singapore17%
Canada16%
Austria16%

Next-gen payment technology market transaction value worldwide 2015-2022

YearTransaction value in billion U.S. dollars
2015 $1,592.20
2016 $2,211.25
2017* $3,104.33
2018* $4,296.67
2019* $6,109.64
2020* $8,961.22
2021* $11,141.55
2022* $13,979.85

* estimated

Also see: UK online payment systems, card readers, and other payment processing companies.

Overall Usage

User GroupDescriptionPercent
Mobile Payment UsersAny type of payment using their mobile devices
within the past year
64%
Mobile Wallet OwnersHaving a mobile wallet application, including but not limited to Apple/Android/Samsung Pay 39%
Frequent Pays OwnersMakes payments once a week or more using a Pay service5%

Mobile & Digital Wallet Usage By Age Group

Age Group% with mobile wallet% without mobile wallet and not attracted% without mobile wallet and somewhat/very attracted
18-3448%20%32%
35-4444%24%32%
45-5437%33%30%
55-6429%43%27%
65+22%50%28%

Usage of Various Digital Wallets

UsageApple PayAndroid PaySamsung Pay
Penetration - % Enrolled34%14%20%
Activation - % Have Used27%10%15%
Usage - % Use Weekly8%3%6%

Support of Popular Mobile Wallets By Country

Apple PayGoogle PaySamsung Pay
AustraliaAustraliaAustralia
BrazilBelgiumBelarus
CanadaBrazilBrazil
ChinaCanadaCanada
DenmarkCroatiaChina
FinlandCzech RepublicFrance
FranceGermanyHong Kong
GuernseyHong KongIndia
Hong KongIndiaItaly
IrelandIrelandMalaysia
Isle of ManItalyMexico
ItalyJapanPuerto Rico
JapanNew ZealandRussia
JerseyPolandSingapore
NorwayRussiaSouth Africa
PolandSingaporeSouth Korea
San MarinoSlovakiaSpain
SingaporeSpainSweden
SpainTaiwanSwitzerland
SwedenUkraineTaiwan
SwitzerlandUnited KingdomThailand
TaiwanUnited StatesUnited Arab Emirates
UkraineUnited Kingdom
United Arab EmiratesUnited States
United KingdomVietnam
United States
Vatican City

Usage Post Launch

Wallet9 MONTHS15 MONTHS
Apple Pay32%36%
Android Pay22%24%
Samsung Pay19%15%

Devices That Support Popular Mobile Wallets

Apple PayGoogle Pay:Samsung Pay
iPhone SES3, S3 LTESamsung Galaxy S3
iPhone 5, 5C, 5S (Only if connected to Apple Watch)S4, S4 LTESamsung Galaxy S4
iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6SS5, S5 LTESamsung Galaxy S5
iPhone 7, 7 PlusS6 edge, S6Samsung Galaxy S6 edge
iPhone 8, 8 PlusA7Samsung Galaxy A7
iPhone XGear S2, S3Samsung Galaxy Note Edge
Apple WatchZ, Z Ultra, Z Ultra LTESamsung Gear S2
Z1, Z1 Ultra LTE, Z1 CompactNote 3 LTE
Z2, Z2 Tablet, T2 UltraNote 3
Z3, Z3 Compact, Z3 Tablet Compact, C3Note 4 LTE
Z4+, Z4 TabletNote 4
Z5, Z5 Compact, Z5 Premium, E5Note 5 LTE
X, X Compact, X PerformanceNote 5
XA, XA UltraMEGA
XZS3 LTE
G Flex, Optimus G ProS4 LTE
G2, G2 MiniS5 LTE
G3, G3 BeatS6
G4S3
G5
G Pro 2, Xpower 2
LG Watch style, LG Watch Sport, LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE
HTC One M7, M8, M9, Max, E8
Desire EYE, 601, 626, 816
Nexus 9
TAG Heuer Connected Modular 45
Huawei Watch 2
Verizon24
One Plus 6
Note Edge, Note 3 LTE, Note 3, Note 4 LTE, Note 4, Note 5 LTE, Note 5, MEGA

Sources:

https://www.statista.com/
https://www.pymnts.com/
https://today.yougov.com/
https://www.globaldata.com/
https://www.cnpexpo.com

Our Most Popular Guides

  • UK Merchant Account & Credit Card Processing Fee Comparison
  • How to Accept Card Payments Online, In-Store, & By Phone
  • Payment Gateways In The UK: What You Need To Know
  • Square Card Reader Reviews: UK Payment Fees & Pricing Compared
  • SumUp Card Reader Reviews: UK Fees & Pricing
  • Dojo Go Card Machine Reviews, Pricing & Fees
  • Worldpay Reviews: UK Fees & Pricing
  • Top 10 UK Direct Debit Bureau & Recurring Payments Companies
  • Contactless Mobile Card Payment Readers: Which Is Cheapest?
  • PDQ Machines: Cheap Chip & Pin Card Payment Terminals From £19
  • 7 Best Mobile Card Readers With Built-In Receipt Printers
  • Credit Card & PDQ Machine Rental Cost: Hire From Just £19
  • Square vs Zettle Vs Worldpay & Sumup: Card Reader Comparison

Comments

  1. Bill Young says

    November 28, 2018 at 1:24 am

    Yes. In China, we all use QR-code payment on Alipay and WeChat Pay. Why? Every mobile phone, even very old android phones can use QR-Code payment.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Please note: Merchant Machine is an information and comparison website only.
We do not provide merchant services nor can we recommend which solution is right for you and your business.
Blog · About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Contact Us
Copyright © 2025 Brilliant British Ltd trading as Merchant Machine

Registered Office Address:
3rd Floor Great Titchfield House, 14-18 Great Titchfield Street, London, United Kingdom, W1W 8BD
Company number 10490224