Credit and debit card count Ireland, by year 2023

Credit card figures in the Republic of Ireland reached around 1.8 million in 2021, a number comparable to previous years. On the other hand, debit cards were found more often in the country, as in that year, there were around 5.89 million. By 2023, this number had significantly increased to over nine million. The numbers provided are estimates, based on the figures central banks have to supply. Owning a payment card does not immediately indicate it gets used, as there are large differences within Europe when it comes to the use of certain payment methods.

Total number of credit cards and debit cards in circulation in Ireland from 2000 to 2023

Characteristic	Credit cards	Debit cards
2023	-	9,615,070
2022	-	7,580,396
2021	1,827,393	5,891,034
2020	1,845,454	5,682,410
2019	1,871,058	5,240,545
2018	1,969,040	4,904,204
2017	1,741,286	4,716,063
2016	1,736,394	4,499,687
2015	1,850,422	4,317,817
2014	1,546,581	4,422,925
2013	2,001,491	4,236,545
2012	2,055,488	3,988,950
2011	2,137,272	3,769,942
2010	2,228,023	3,385,407
2009	2,333,163	3,107,008
2008	2,381,005	2,922,783
2007	2,303,000	2,500,221
2006	2,163,000	1,622,422
2005	2,028,000	1,273,288
2004	2,002,000	1,293,046
2003	1,993,000	1,079,000
2002	1,870,000	1,044,000
2001	1,745,000	902,000
2000	1,352,000	798,000

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Release date

July 2024

More information

Region

Ireland

Survey time period

2000 to 2023

Special properties

Figures were first released in November 2023, and have about a year delay due to calculations

Supplementary notes

Until November 2023, all figures on credit cards and debit cards from the European Central Bank were estimates based on certain criteria. Typically, it meant the figures were about "cards with a credit function" or "card with a debit function". From 2023 onwards, the ECB started reporting figures specifically covering "credit cards" and "debit cards". That said, numbers can differ between the years as domestic definitions and recording methods changed.

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