Payment Method Figures for the First Half of 2024 Released
The numbers for payment methods for the first half of 2024 were published yesterday, revealing a significant piece of information: the number of bank cards has dropped by 24% compared to the end of 2023. According to the new statistics, there are currently 5,364 million cards in Tunisia, compared to 7,053 million as of December 31, 2023. In other words, 1,689 million cards are no longer functional.
Even compared to the end of March 2024, the decline is steep, with 7,128 million cards in customers' pockets at that time.
No explanation has been provided for this decline. Is it related to the closure of bank accounts? A more restrictive renewal policy by banks? A redesign of banking offers, with several banks offering more than one card per account? We will likely have explanations in the coming weeks.
In any case, this has not impacted transaction volumes, which totaled 13,213.1 million dinars over six months, a 9% increase year-over-year. The average size of a payment operation by bank card is 105 TND, compared to 109.4 TND the previous year. The impact of the decline in the number of payment methods is clear. This is not a good sign if we want to continue moving forward on the path to a cashless society.
