Card Spending covers the monthly value and volume of transactions across debit and credit cards, both in the UK, and of UK-issued cards across the world. This data also covers outstanding balances on credit cards, card issuance and contactless payments.

Key data highlights

Updated 18 November 2025

Card transactions by UK cardholders both in the UK and overseas:

  • There were 2.3 billion debit card transactions in August, 1.3 per cent more than in August 2024. The total spend of £65.8 billion was 0.3 per cent lower than in August 2024.
    There were 399 million credit card transactions in August, 4.1 per cent more than in August 2024. The total spend of £21.2 billion was 2.4 per cent higher than August 2024.
    Outstanding balances on credit card accounts have grown by 7.5 per cent over the twelve months to August and 47.9 per cent of 
    outstanding balances incurred interest compared to 49.1 per cent in August 2024.

Card transactions made in the UK by cardholders from both the UK and from overseas countries:

  • There were 2.21 billion debit and credit card transactions in the UK in August, 2.1 per cent more than in August 2024. The total spend of £73.6 billion was 0.7 per cent higher than August 2024.
  • Contactless payments accounted for 67 per cent of all credit card and 77 per cent of all debit card transactions.
  • There were 1.66 billion contactless card transactions in August, 1.8 per cent more than the 1.64 billion in August 2024. The total value of contactless transactions was £27.3 billion in August, a 4.7 per cent increase on £26.1 billion in August 2024.
  • The number of contactless credit card transactions was 9.4 per cent higher than August 2024. The number of contactless debit card transactions was 0.5 per cent higher than August 2024.
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Cards Consumer finance Data and research Payments