The number of cards with a payment function in the Netherlands in 2023 stood at 32.68 million units, reflecting a slight year-on-year decline of 0.057%. Over the past two years, there have been slight fluctuations with a notable decline in 2022, followed by a stabilization in 2023. When examining the last five years, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) reveals a slight decrease of 0.21%, indicating a gradual downturn in card usage.
From 2014 to 2023, the year-on-year variations have been mixed, with significant declines in specific years such as 2020 due to external economic factors. Subsequent years saw recoveries, most notably in 2021 with an impressive 26.43% increase. However, recent years have shown stabilization and minimal variation.
Looking forward, the forecasted data from 2024 to 2028 suggests a stable trend with minimal fluctuations. The 5-year growth rate projection shows a slight decrease with a forecasted CAGR of -0.06%. This stability could be attributed to market saturation and the emergence of alternative payment methods such as mobile payments and digital wallets.
Future trends to watch for:
- The impact of innovative payment technologies such as blockchain and cryptocurrency on traditional payment cards.
- Shifts in consumer behavior towards contactless and mobile payments.
- Regulatory changes and their effects on the financial services sector.
- The role of fintech in shaping the future payment landscape.