Credit Card Usage Statistics in Canada (2026)
78.6% of adults in Canada used a credit card in 2021, World Bank Global Findex data show. Down from 79.2% in 2017 to 78.6% in 2021 (−0.6 percentage points). Canada ranks #1 of 2 economies in North America on this measure, and #1 of 142 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2021)
- 78.6% (2021)
- Credit Card Usage in Canada as of 2021, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2017
- −0.6 pp (2021)
- Down from 79.2% in 2017 to 78.6% in 2021 (−0.6 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2014)
- 73.1% (2014)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 73.1% in 2014 to 78.6% in 2021.
- Peak value (2017)
- 79.2% (2017)
- Highest value in the available series; the 2021 value is 78.6%.
- Rank in North America
- #1 of 2 (2021)
- Canada ranks 1 of 2 countries in North America with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #1 of 142 (2021)
- Canada ranks 1 of 142 countries with data globally.
- North America average
- 70.5% (2021)
- Canada (78.6%) is above the average of 70.5% across the 2 countries in North America with data.
- Owns a credit card (% age 15+) (2021)
- 82.7% (2021)
- Related indicator from World Bank Global Findex.
- Internet use in Canada (2024)
- 94.4% (2024)
- 94.4% of the population in Canada used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 41.3 million (2024)
- Canada had a population of 41.3 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 2014–2021
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 78.6% | −0.6 pp |
| 2017 | 79.2% | +6.1 pp |
| 2014 | 73.1% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in Canada used a credit card?
78.6% of adults in Canada used a credit card in 2021, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
How has credit card usage in Canada changed over time?
World Bank Global Findex data show a rise from 73.1% in 2014 to 78.6% in 2021.
How does Canada compare with other countries in North America?
Canada ranks 1 of 2 countries in North America with data, with 78.6% versus a regional average of 70.5% (latest values per country).
Where does Canada rank globally on credit card usage?
Canada ranks 1 of 142 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank Global Findex value for each country.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator
fin22g, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .