Debit Card Ownership Statistics in Nepal (2026)
In 2024, 17.6% of adults in Nepal owned a debit card, according to World Bank Global Findex data. Up from 13.8% in 2021 to 17.6% in 2024 (+3.8 percentage points). Nepal ranks #3 of 4 economies in South Asia on this measure, and #111 of 145 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 17.6% (2024)
- Debit Card Ownership in Nepal as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2021
- +3.8 pp (2024)
- Up from 13.8% in 2021 to 17.6% in 2024 (+3.8 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2011)
- 3.7% (2011)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 3.7% in 2011 to 17.6% in 2024.
- Record high (2024)
- 17.6% (2024)
- The 2024 value is the highest in the available World Bank Global Findex series for Nepal.
- Rank in South Asia
- #3 of 4 (2024)
- Nepal ranks 3 of 4 countries in South Asia with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #111 of 145 (2024)
- Nepal ranks 111 of 145 countries with data globally.
- South Asia average
- 26.3% (2024)
- Nepal (17.6%) is below the average of 26.3% across the 4 countries in South Asia with data.
- Among women (2024)
- 15.1% (2024)
- Value for women in Nepal, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Among men (2024)
- 20.5% (2024)
- Value for men in Nepal, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Gender gap (women minus men)
- −5.4 pp (2024)
- In 2024, the figure was 15.1% for women and 20.5% for men — 5.4 percentage points lower among women.
- Internet use in Nepal (2024)
- 46.3% (2024)
- 46.3% of the population in Nepal used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 29.7 million (2024)
- Nepal had a population of 29.7 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 2011–2024
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17.6% | +3.8 pp |
| 2021 | 13.8% | +5.1 pp |
| 2017 | 8.7% | +2.0 pp |
| 2014 | 6.7% | +3.0 pp |
| 2011 | 3.7% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in Nepal owned a debit card?
17.6% of adults in Nepal owned a debit card in 2024, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
Where does the debit card ownership data for Nepal come from?
The data comes from the World Bank Global Findex (indicator fin2.t.d). The latest observation for Nepal is from 2024; the snapshot was retrieved on 2026-06-10.
How has debit card ownership in Nepal changed over time?
World Bank Global Findex data show a rise from 3.7% in 2011 to 17.6% in 2024.
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 .