The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) released quarterly statistics on payment cards issued in Hong Kong for the first quarter of 2025, covering credit and debit cards under the schemes of eight payment card scheme operators. By end-Q1 2025, credit cards in circulation totalled 21.88 million, up 4.5% quarter-on-quarter and 9.5% year-on-year. Credit card transaction volumes fell 2.0% from the previous quarter to 332.44 million but rose 10.0% from the same period in 2024, while transaction value increased 1.0% quarter-on-quarter and 8.4% year-on-year to HKD 274.1 billion. Of the total value, HKD 186.1 billion (67.9%) related to retail spending in Hong Kong, HKD 79.0 billion (28.8%) to retail spending overseas and HKD 9.0 billion (3.3%) to cash advances. Debit card transaction volumes for retail sales and bill payments decreased 1.8% quarter-on-quarter to 54.48 million, while value increased 1.1% to HKD 73.8 billion; compared with the same period in 2024, volume rose 12.8% and value fell 2.0%. The HKMA noted that the total number of debit cards in circulation is not available due to overlapping debit card brands on single cards.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority 2025-06-20
Hong Kong Monetary Authority publishes Q1 2025 payment card statistics showing rising credit card circulation and transaction values
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority's Q1 2025 statistics show a 4.5% quarterly and 9.5% annual increase in credit cards to 21.88 million. Credit card transaction volumes decreased 2.0% quarterly but rose 10.0% year-on-year, with transaction value up 1.0% quarterly and 8.4% annually to HKD 274.1 billion. Debit card transaction volumes fell 1.8% quarterly, while value increased 1.1% to HKD 73.8 billion, despite a 12.8% annual volume rise and a 2.0% value decline.