Digital Payment Adoption Statistics in Germany (2026)
In 2021, 99.5% of adults in Germany made or received a digital payment, according to World Bank Global Findex data. Up from 97.8% in 2017 to 99.5% in 2021 (+1.7 percentage points). Germany ranks #3 of 46 economies in Europe & Central Asia on this measure, and #3 of 142 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2021)
- 99.5% (2021)
- Digital Payment Adoption in Germany as of 2021, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2017
- +1.7 pp (2021)
- Up from 97.8% in 2017 to 99.5% in 2021 (+1.7 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2014)
- 95.8% (2014)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 95.8% in 2014 to 99.5% in 2021.
- Record high (2021)
- 99.5% (2021)
- The 2021 value is the highest in the available World Bank Global Findex series for Germany.
- Rank in Europe & Central Asia
- #3 of 46 (2021)
- Germany ranks 3 of 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #3 of 142 (2021)
- Germany ranks 3 of 142 countries with data globally.
- Europe & Central Asia average
- 82.7% (2021)
- Germany (99.5%) is above the average of 82.7% across the 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data.
- Among women (2021)
- 99.3% (2021)
- Value for women in Germany, same 2021 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Among men (2021)
- 99.7% (2021)
- Value for men in Germany, same 2021 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Gender gap (women minus men)
- −0.4 pp (2021)
- In 2021, the figure was 99.3% for women and 99.7% for men — 0.4 percentage points lower among women.
- Among the poorest 40% (2021)
- 99.8% (2021)
- Value for adults in the poorest 40% of households in Germany in 2021.
- Poorest-40% gap vs national
- +0.3 pp (2021)
- The poorest 40% (99.8%) are 0.3 percentage points above the national figure (99.5%).
- Made a digital payment (% age 15+) (2021)
- 99.4% (2021)
- Related indicator from World Bank Global Findex.
- Received digital payments (% age 15+) (2021)
- 61.7% (2021)
- Related indicator from World Bank Global Findex.
- Internet use in Germany (2024)
- 93.5% (2024)
- 93.5% of the population in Germany used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 83.5 million (2024)
- Germany had a population of 83.5 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 2014–2021
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 99.5% | +1.7 pp |
| 2017 | 97.8% | +2.0 pp |
| 2014 | 95.8% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in Germany made or received a digital payment?
99.5% of adults in Germany made or received a digital payment in 2021, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
How does Germany compare with other countries in Europe & Central Asia?
Germany ranks 3 of 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data, with 99.5% versus a regional average of 82.7% (latest values per country).
Where does Germany rank globally on digital payment adoption?
Germany ranks 3 of 142 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank Global Findex value for each country.
Is there a gender gap in digital payment adoption in Germany?
Yes — in 2021 the figure was 99.3% for women and 99.7% for men, a gap of 0.4 percentage points in favor of men.
How recent is the digital payment adoption data for Germany?
The most recent observation is from 2021. World Bank Global Findex data is reported with a lag, so 2021 is the latest available year for Germany.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator
g20.any, 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 .