Credit Card Usage Statistics in Ireland (2026)
In 2021, 49% of adults in Ireland used a credit card, according to World Bank Global Findex data. Up from 44.1% in 2017 to 49% in 2021 (+4.8 percentage points). Ireland ranks #7 of 46 economies in Europe & Central Asia on this measure, and #14 of 142 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2021)
- 49% (2021)
- Credit Card Usage in Ireland as of 2021, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2017
- +4.8 pp (2021)
- Up from 44.1% in 2017 to 49% in 2021 (+4.8 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2014)
- 39.2% (2014)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 39.2% in 2014 to 49% in 2021.
- Record high (2021)
- 49% (2021)
- The 2021 value is the highest in the available World Bank Global Findex series for Ireland.
- Rank in Europe & Central Asia
- #7 of 46 (2021)
- Ireland ranks 7 of 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #14 of 142 (2021)
- Ireland ranks 14 of 142 countries with data globally.
- Europe & Central Asia average
- 26.3% (2021)
- Ireland (49%) is above the average of 26.3% across the 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data.
- Owns a credit card (% age 15+) (2021)
- 55% (2021)
- Related indicator from World Bank Global Findex.
- Internet use in Ireland (2024)
- 97.2% (2024)
- 97.2% of the population in Ireland used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 5.4 million (2024)
- Ireland had a population of 5.4 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 2014–2021
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 49% | +4.8 pp |
| 2017 | 44.1% | +4.9 pp |
| 2014 | 39.2% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in Ireland used a credit card?
49% of adults in Ireland used a credit card in 2021, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
How has credit card usage in Ireland changed over time?
World Bank Global Findex data show a rise from 39.2% in 2014 to 49% in 2021.
How does Ireland compare with other countries in Europe & Central Asia?
Ireland ranks 7 of 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data, with 49% versus a regional average of 26.3% (latest values per 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 .