Statistics of Payment Cards Issued in Hong Kong for Fourth Quarter 2022
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) published today (17 March)
statistics of payment cards issued in Hong Kong for the fourth quarter
of 2022.
The payment card statistics (see Annex) include
quarterly data on credit and debit cards issued in Hong Kong under the
credit and/or debit card schemes of the eight payment card scheme
operators (Note 1). The HKMA began to publish the payment card
statistics on a quarterly basis in June 2010 to enhance transparency
of the payment card industry in Hong Kong, in line with international
practice.
According to the quarterly statistics, the total
number of credit cards in circulation (Note 2) was 19. 49 million by
the end of Q4/2022. The figure represents a 0. 6% decrease from the
previous quarter and a 2. 3% increase from the previous year. The
number and value of credit card transactions (including retail sales
and cash advances) (Note 3) are susceptible to seasonal factors and
the general economic environment, making the trends more prone to
fluctuation. The total number of credit card transactions was 247. 65
million for Q4/2022, representing a 2. 0% increase from the previous
quarter and a 6. 4% increase from the same period in 2021. The total
value of credit card transactions was HK$215. 9 billion for Q4/2022,
representing a 11. 7% increase from the previous quarter and a 8. 9%
increase from the same period in 2021. Of the total transaction value,
HK$168. 1 billion (77. 8%) was related to retail spending in Hong
Kong, HK$39. 1 billion (18. 1%) in retail spending overseas and HK$8.
7 billion (4. 0%) in cash advances. The total number of debit cards
in circulation is not available due to overlapping of debit card
brands in a single card. Like the number and value of credit card
transactions, the number and value of debit card transactions in
relation to retail sales and bills payments (Note 4) are also affected
by seasonal factors. On a quarterly basis, the total number of debit
card transactions in relation to retail sales and bills payments
increased 3. 5% to 47. 58 million while the total value increased by
9. 2% to HK$76. 0 billion in Q4/2022. When compared to the same period
in 2021, the total number increased by 7. 1% and the total value
dropped by 2. 1% in Q4/2022. Hong Kong Monetary Authority 17 March
2023