Half of Spaniards used their mobile phones to make payments in 2023, according to Mastercard

Madrid (Efe).- Half of Spaniards used their mobile phones to pay in 2023, compared to 29.7% who did so in 2022, although there are wide differences between generations, with the percentage exceeding 76% among minors aged 29 years (Generation Z). It remained at 34.4% of those aged 55 to 74 years (baby boomers).

In terms of autonomy, it was Madrid residents (53.8%) and Catalans (52.6%) who paid the most for things using their smartphones, shows the 2023 per capita measure, published by Mastercard on Tuesday.

By type of card, debit cards stand out, which are the most widespread in the Spanish market, as 81.8% of Spaniards own them, and of this, 48.9% used them to pay using their mobile phones last year.

In the case of credit card holders (52.1%), the percentage of mobile payments decreased to 32.8%, and to 26.3% in the case of prepaid cards.

Record online purchases in 2023

The report data adds that 73.9% of study participants purchased a product or service online in 2023, an increase of 2.3 percentage points from the previous year.

By age, 89.2% of Spaniards aged 18 to 34 made purchases online, compared to 54.85% of those aged 55 or over.

Concerned about sustainability

The report shows that responsible consumption and decision-making based on corporate environmental commitment respond to consumers' awareness of caring for the planet.

In numbers, 61.7% of Spaniards are concerned about sustainability and social responsibility when contracting for banking products and services, especially young people aged between 18 and 34 years.

Of these, more than a quarter of those surveyed, 26.2%, said they would pay more for their banking services and products if social and sustainable commitments were met.