What percentage of Americans carry cash?
Cash remains king – 67% of Americans still use traditional in-store payment. Recent data from YouGov Profiles provides an overview of how American adults are engaging with mobile payment systems, and their choices for in-store and online purchases over the last 30 days.
While it's impossible to accurately predict when the US will move to a fully cashless society, a Gallup survey reveals that 64% of Americans believe that all payments will become electronic at some point in their lifetime, with the figure jumping to 70% for those under 50.
Cash is still king of some things
Economics experts say that despite increasing reliance on cards, cash remains resilient and an important payment method for many consumers.
If it's been a long time since you pulled out actual dollars and coins to pay for something — here's a conversation for you. It might seem like cash is slowly becoming obsolete. But, Brett Scott says it's a false narrative that we're all pining for a cashless society.
Thanks to credit cards and debit cards, there is no need to carry paper money. You can buy goods and services with a simple swipe, dip, or tap of your card. This is why card-based transactions continue to soar while cash money is on the decline. However, you still need a wallet to carry your cards, right?
Who is at risk of cashless? Those who live in the country where poor internet connectivity could stop payments. Poor people who rely on cash to ensure that they budget properly. Anyone in an abusive relationship who may lose financial independence without access to cash.
Norway has an unbanked population of 0%, meaning every single citizen has a bank account. Only around 2% of payments in the country are made with cash. With 32 ATMs per 100,000 people, Norway is currently one of the most likely countries to become a cashless society.
Cash is the most commonly used form of payment, with 67% of respondents favoring it, demonstrating its enduring appeal for physical transactions. Debit cards (42% using chip and 35% swipe) and credit cards (35% using chip and 26% swipe) also remain popular.
Why cash is still king: investors take advantage of high interest rates and maximise flexibility. Cash is seen as the most attractive asset class moving into 2024, according to a new survey. But with interest rates forecast to drop, investors are likely to start reinvesting in risk assets soon.
It ensures your freedom and autonomy. Banknotes and coins are the only form of money that people can keep without involving a third party. You don't need access to equipment, the internet or electricity to pay with cash, meaning it can be used when the power is down or if you lose your card. It's legal tender.
Which country is cashless?
Sweden, the first European country to introduce banknotes in 1661, became the world's first cashless society on 24 March 2023. Finland and the UK are top–ranked to become cashless societies as well. Poland, on the other hand, has scrapped plans to limit cash payments to ensure freedom of choice.
“China is one of the top countries for using cashless payment systems, but penetration is not 100%,” says Sara Hsu, an associate professor at the University of Tennessee, specialising in supply chain management. “Elderly Chinese still often prefer to pay with cash and some struggle with using mobile payments.”
We have been issuing banknotes for over 300 years and make sure the banknotes we all use are of high quality. While the future demand for cash is uncertain, it is unlikely that cash will die out any time soon.
Many, and perhaps most, millionaires are frugal. If they spent their money, they would not have any to increase wealth. They spend on necessities and some luxuries, but they save and expect their entire families to do the same. Many millionaires keep a lot of their money in cash or highly liquid cash equivalents.
A cashless future enabled by technology
We may not be a cashless society by 2060, much less by 2030. But the fact is we're closer to becoming a nearly cashless society every day.
The US is moving toward cashless payments, with a substantial increase in the use of mobile wallet apps and contactless cards. A report from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco found that payments made using cash accounted for just 18% of all US payments in 2022.
A concern closely linked to security is privacy. Identity theft and compromised personal information are potential dangers in a cashless economy, but privacy might be compromised in other ways too.
Why Eliminate Cash? Cash can be used in criminal activities such as money laundering and tax evasion because it is difficult to trace. Digital transactions or electronic money create an audit trail for law enforcement and financial institutions and can aid governments in economic policymaking.
Macquarie Bank has announced it's going cashless as it becomes the first big bank to move to a fully digital model. It follows CBA-owned Bankwest's decision to do the same last month, closing down all branches and forcing customers into online banking.
A cashless society is one in which cash, in the form of physical banknotes and coins, is not accepted in any financial transaction.
Which country uses cash the most?
- Romania: With 78% of all payments using cash, Romania still heavily relies on cash daily transactions every business day.
- Egypt: With nearly 70% of the country not using a bank account, Egypt's citizens regularly use cash.
Japan is well-known for its technological advancements, but when it comes to cashless payments, it lags behind its neighbors and other economies. Cash is still king in Japan, but digital payment usage is steadily gaining traction.
Many Americans do carry cash, on average about $67 as of 2021, according to the Federal Reserve's Diary of Consumer Payment Choice. That may be too much, said Chelsea Ransom-Cooper, director of financial planning at Zenith Wealth Partners.
Amidst rising living expenses, new stats show that 18–24-year-olds are leading a surge in cash usage. Nearly 70% of people in the Gen Z age group report using cash more frequently within the past year, with a significant quarter of them favoring cash for the majority of their transactions.
How many credit cards does the average person have? According to the latest figures from Experian, the average American has 3.84 credit cards with an average credit limit of $30,365. And their credit journey usually begins early, with the average Gen Z consumer having 2.1 credit cards.
