Forecast: Number of Payments by Cards with a Debit Function in Italy

Between 2013 and 2023, the number of payments by cards with a debit function in Italy increased significantly from 1.23 billion to 2.51 billion units. Although the annual growth rates varied, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the last decade has been robust. Notable fluctuations include a sharp decline in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a substantial rebound in 2021. In more recent years, the percentage year-on-year variation decreased, reflecting a maturing market.

In 2023, the total number of payments stood at 2.51 billion units, marking an increase of 3.37% compared to 2022. Over the past two years, the variations have stabilized, indicating a trend towards steadier growth. The average annual variation (CAGR) over the last five years has been 3.4%, showing moderate but steady growth.

Looking ahead, forecast data suggests a continued upward trend reaching 2.94 billion units by 2028, with an estimated average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.45% over the next five years.

Future trends to watch for:

• Adoption of digital payment technologies and mobile wallets.
• Regulatory changes impacting debit card usage.
• Economic conditions and their impact on consumer spending behavior.
• Merchant acceptance of debit card payments, particularly in small and medium enterprises.