Forecast: Number of Cards with a Debit Function in South Korea

The number of debit cards in South Korea exhibited varied trends from 2013 to 2023. The value of 2023 stood at 169.28 million units. From 2013 to 2016, there was a consistent increase, peaking in 2016 with a year-on-year variation around 3%. However, 2017 saw a slight decline, followed by fluctuations until 2019. The most significant drop occurred in 2020, with a 16.44% decrease. Recovery followed in 2021, with a notable 27.34% increase, but declines resumed in subsequent years. The overall compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the last five years up to 2023 is modest at 0.61%.

Future trends to watch for:

  • Technological advancements in digital payments and financial services integration.
  • Impact of emerging fintech solutions and competition on traditional banking products.
  • Consumer behavior shifts in response to economic conditions and digital adoption.