Record high UPI usage in India as global non-cash transactions reach 1.3 trillion

The '2023 World Payments Report' by Capgemini Research Institute predicts non-cash transaction volumes to double, reaching approximately 2.3 trillion by 2027, up from the 2022 figures.

New Delhi: Non-cash transaction volume is likely to reach almost 1.3 trillion globally by this year, a nearly 16.6 per cent (year-over-year) growth rate, as India sees exponential growth in the use of Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-based payments, a report showed on Thursday.

By 2027, non-cash transaction volumes are expected to reach about 2.3 trillion, doubling since 2022, according to the ‘2023 World Payments Report’ by Capgemini Research Institute.

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Powered by a real-time network and open banking, UPI in India reported exponential growth of 1.9 times in volume and nearly 1.8 times in transaction value from 2021 to 2022.

“UPI transaction value and volume overtook credit and debit card totals by a significant margin in 2022 as UPI A2A payments became the preferred payment instrument for consumers and businesses in India,” said the report.

India’s central bank plans a new UPI feature which will enable consumers to block their account funds and complete payments after service delivery.

The feature will likely boost UPI use for e-commerce and replace cash on delivery.

“In India, Payment Data Localisation through RBI regulations and initiatives is driving competition, harmonisation, innovation, and transparency in the industry,” the report mentioned.

The UPI-based payments crossed 10 billion monthly transactions in August for the first time, according to the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Monthly transaction count on UPI crossed 10.24 billion with a net transaction value of Rs 15.18 trillion.

At a regional level, digital payments will grow by 19.8 per cent across the Asia Pacific, 10.7 per cent in Europe, and 6.5 per cent in North America by 2027.

“The current model of tackling cash management services needs an overhaul. Corporate executives are feeling the pressure from mounting inefficiencies across lengthy cash conversion cycles,” said Jeroen Holscher, Global Head of Payments Services at Capgemini.

Globally, retail payments comprise 59 per cent of total transaction volume while commercial payments comprise 41 per cent.

In the APAC region, the split between commercial and retail payments value share is nearly 50 per cent each, the findings showed.

New payment solutions and key industry initiatives are fueling the growth of digital payments among enterprises.

Expectations are also changing, with 63 per cent of corporate clients demanding a retail-like payment experience from their banks in 2023, the report noted.