Debit Card Ownership Statistics in Ireland (2026)
94.2% of adults in Ireland owned a debit card in 2024, World Bank Global Findex data show. Up from 93.5% in 2021 to 94.2% in 2024 (+0.7 percentage points). Ireland ranks #12 of 46 economies in Europe & Central Asia on this measure, and #14 of 145 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 94.2% (2024)
- Debit Card Ownership in Ireland as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2021
- +0.7 pp (2024)
- Up from 93.5% in 2021 to 94.2% in 2024 (+0.7 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2011)
- 70.5% (2011)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 70.5% in 2011 to 94.2% in 2024.
- Record high (2024)
- 94.2% (2024)
- The 2024 value is the highest in the available World Bank Global Findex series for Ireland.
- Rank in Europe & Central Asia
- #12 of 46 (2024)
- Ireland ranks 12 of 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #14 of 145 (2024)
- Ireland ranks 14 of 145 countries with data globally.
- Europe & Central Asia average
- 78.4% (2024)
- Ireland (94.2%) is above the average of 78.4% across the 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data.
- Among women (2024)
- 92.2% (2024)
- Value for women in Ireland, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Among men (2024)
- 96.1% (2024)
- Value for men in Ireland, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Gender gap (women minus men)
- −3.9 pp (2024)
- In 2024, the figure was 92.2% for women and 96.1% for men — 3.9 percentage points lower among women.
- 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, 2011–2024
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 94.2% | +0.7 pp |
| 2021 | 93.5% | +8.7 pp |
| 2017 | 84.7% | −1.2 pp |
| 2014 | 86% | +15.5 pp |
| 2011 | 70.5% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in Ireland owned a debit card?
94.2% of adults in Ireland owned a debit card in 2024, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
Where does Ireland rank globally on debit card ownership?
Ireland ranks 14 of 145 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank Global Findex value for each country.
Is there a gender gap in debit card ownership in Ireland?
Yes — in 2024 the figure was 92.2% for women and 96.1% for men, a gap of 3.9 percentage points in favor of men.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator
fin2.t.d, 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 .