A recent Visa report revealed that 68% of consumers in the UAE rely on digital payments, meaning they carry out most of their transactions using cards or mobile phones. This marks a significant increase in 2025, up seven percentage points from 2024, reflecting a clear trend towards reducing reliance on cash. The third edition of the 'Where's the Cash?' report indicates that the appeal of cash is declining in daily transactions, with only 16% of surveyed consumers using cash for their everyday purchases, down from 25% in 2024. Visa stated in a press release that this decline is evident across all major categories where cash remains prevalent, such as local markets (-19%), taxi rides (-18%), and bill payments (-12%). For daily transactions like grocery shopping, dining out, and transportation, debit cards and mobile payment methods are the preferred choice, while credit cards are more commonly used for planned purchases or high-value items. In peer-to-peer payments, tips remain the most common case of cash dependency, with 58% of consumers in the country paying cash. Cash is also widely used for international money transfers through exchange companies (25%) and for settling rent payments (15%). Nevertheless, the adoption rate of digital solutions for peer-to-peer payments continues its upward trajectory, with the share of digital payments increasing by five percentage points in 2025 to reach 35%. Visa's Vice President and General Manager for the UAE, Salima Gutieva, said: 'The 2025 results reflect a clear shift in consumer spending habits, as digital payments continue to gain momentum in daily transactions.' She added: 'Despite the continued use of cash in some categories, these areas present significant opportunities to help consumers transition to digital options that offer greater security, convenience, and ease of payment management. When digital payment experiences meet consumer expectations, they naturally become the preferred choice.' She noted that the survey results showed a growing reliance among UAE consumers on digital payments due to the convenience, security, and numerous other benefits they provide. 16% of consumers use cash for their everyday purchases.
