Digital payments are increasingly shaping how people pay in Saudi Arabia, with more consumers opting for faster, more secure methods.

Visa’s third edition of the Where Cash Hides report shows that 67% of consumers in the Kingdom are largely non-cash users, primarily making payments with cards or mobile devices.

This represents a 4% increase from last year, indicating a continued shift away from cash.

Nearly one in four consumers still use cash for everyday purchases, but consumers are increasingly shifting away from it for dining out (-9%) and bill payments (-8%).

Cash remains common for peer-to-peer transactions, with 39% of consumers using it for tips, 28% for P2P services, and 14% for rent payments.

“The data shows a steady move toward digital payments in Saudi Arabia. Such progress is possible only because banks, fintechs, merchants and technology partners are pushing together in the same direction, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030,”

said Ali Bailoun, Visa’s Senior Vice President, Group Country Manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman.

“As more people try mobile and card payments in their daily lives, their expectations evolve. Consumers want payment options that are quick, convenient, and safe. When digital solutions meet these expectations, they naturally become the preferred choice.”

The findings suggest that consumers are increasingly relying on digital payments for their convenience, security, and transparency.

Cards reduce the risks of carrying cash, enable both online and in-store purchases, and provide instant transaction records.

Mobile payments offer similar advantages through tokenisation, which replaces sensitive card details with unique digital identifiers.

Credit cards additionally offer rewards programmes, cashback, and other benefits, which are valued both domestically and when travelling abroad.

Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Middle East, based on image by farknot via Freepik