Top 5 Countries Leading the World in Digital Payments: The 1st & 5th Ones Will Surprise You!

Digital payments have changed the way we buy and sell products, send money, or pay bills. Today, a person can pay for groceries, recharge a phone, or send money to family members or friends without having cash.

But do you know which countries lead the world in digital payments? You'll all be guessing about India. But India is not leading the world in digital payments. Perhaps it has worldwide; UPI payments have been accepted in 11 countries, but as per the World Bank’s Global Findex Database 2025, Mongolia is at the top of the list, which is leading the world in digital payments.

So, explore here the top 5 countries leading the world in digital payments; the 1st one has surprised you the most. Now, check which one is at the 5th rank, which is leading in digital payments worldwide.

What is a digital payment?

A digital payment means sending or receiving money through a digital method.

For example:

• Paying by UPI or QR code

• Using a debit or credit card

• Paying through a mobile phone

• Paying a bill online

• Sending money directly to another bank account

• Receiving money into a bank or mobile money account

Top 5 countries for digital payments

Based on the World Bank Global Findex 2025 indicator “Made or received a digital payment”, these are the leading countries among economies with comparable 2024 data:

Source: World Bank Global Findex Database 2025, based mainly on 2024 survey data.

1. Mongolia: 95%

• POPULATION (age 15+): 2.34 million

• Adult population without an account: 0.04 million

• Formal saving, borrowing, and payments

• Saved in an account: 36%

• Borrowed from a lender or with a credit card: 42%

• Used digital payments: 95%

2. Kenya: 89.3%

• POPULATION (age 15+): 34.62 million

• Adult population without an account: 3.42 million

• Formal saving, borrowing, and payments

• Saved in an account: 54%

• Borrowed from a lender or with a credit card: 38%

• Used digital payments: 89.3%

3. China: 88.7%

• POPULATION (age 15+): 1,176.68 million

• Adult population without an account: 124.93 million

• Formal saving, borrowing, and payments

• Saved in an account: 67%

• Borrowed from a lender or with a credit card: 41%

• Used digital payments: 88.7%

4. Kazakhstan: 85%

• POPULATION (age 15+): 14.32 million

• Adult population without an account: 1.86 million

• Formal saving, borrowing, and payments

• Saved in an account: 38%

• Borrowed from a lender or with a credit card: 33%

• Used digital payments: 85%

5. Thailand: 85%

• POPULATION (age 15+): 60.88 million

• Adult population without an account: 4.98 million

• Formal saving, borrowing, and payments

• Saved in an account: 54%

• Borrowed from a lender or with a credit card: 18%

• Used digital payments: 83%

What about India?

India is known for the highest payment through UPI, and globally it is recognised in 11 countries where UPI payments are operational.

India has about only 48% of the population using digital payments.

Formal saving, borrowing, and payments

• Saved in an account: 27%

• Borrowed from a lender or with a credit card: 15%

• Used digital payments: 48%

Digital payments are growing worldwide

Why are digital payments important?

Digital payments can make everyday money transactions easier.

For customers

• Payments can be quick.

• There is less need to carry cash.

• Bills can be paid from home.

• Money can be sent to family members easily.

For shopkeepers

• Small shops can accept digital payments.

• Payment records are created automatically.

• Customers do not always need to carry cash.

• Digital records may help businesses access financial services.