Türkiye’s card payments surge by 92% in 2024, reaching record levels
File photo shows a stack of credit cards. (AA Photo)
Card payments in Türkiye increased by 92% in transaction volume in 2024 compared to the previous year, reaching a total of ₺15.8 trillion ($443 billion), according to data released by the Interbank Card Center (BKM).
Steady growth in card numbers
The total number of cards rose by 10% in 2024, amounting to ₺435.4 million. This includes:
- Credit cards: Up 10% to ₺129.4 million.
- Bank cards: Up 3% to ₺194.4 million.
- Prepaid cards: Up 24% to ₺111.6 million.
Record increases in card payment volume
- Credit cards: Payments rose by 99%, reaching ₺13.3 trillion.
- Bank cards: Payments increased by 59% to ₺2.2 trillion.
- Prepaid cards: Payments surged by 115%, hitting ₺306.8 billion.
The total number of card transactions grew by 18%, reaching ₺18.4 billion in 2024. Among these, ₺10.5 billion were made using credit cards, ₺6.5 billion with bank cards, and ₺1.4 billion via prepaid cards.
Online and contactless payments on the rise
- Online payments: Internet-based card transactions increased by 97% to ₺4.66 billion, making up 29% of all card payments.
- Contactless payments: Transactions rose by 28% to ₺11.96 billion, with the total value increasing by 113% to ₺4.83 billion.
For every five in-store card transactions, four were contactless.
Key dates and records in 2024
- Highest spending day: December 30, with ₺89.2 billion in payments for New Year’s shopping.
- Most cash withdrawals: June 15, the eve of Eid al-Adha, with ₺26.8 billion in transactions.
- Peak online activity: Nov. 11, during a major discount period, with ₺11.8 million transactions.
- Highest contactless usage: June 15, with 45.2 million transactions for holiday shopping.
