4 in 5 Belgians prefer digital payments to cash

Contactless payments, which received a boost during the coronavirus pandemic, are still rising in popularity. For 38 per cent of people in Belgium, contactless payments by card or smartphone are their preferred payment option, a survey by market researcher Ipsos and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) shows.

According to the Digital Payments Barometer, 83 per cent of respondents opt for digital payments over cash, banking umbrella organisation Febelfin reported on Thursday. Smartphones, QR codes and cryptocurrencies are increasingly popular. On average, Belgians are twice as likely to pay electronically in physical shops than with cash.

Online purchases also continue to gain popularity. Four out of five Belgians shop online and use their debit card, banking app or credit card.

The survey was conducted among 1,187 people in March on behalf of Febelfin, Bancontact Payconiq Company, Mastercard, Visa and Worldline.

^{© BELGA PHOTO THIERRY ROGE}

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