Survey: Surveys on payment habits of individuals and businesses in Sweden
The Riksbank conducts surveys aimed at individuals and businesses. Every other year, the Riksbank carries out a survey of individuals to get an overview of Swedes' payment habits and how they change over time. The most recent survey was conducted in the autumn of 2025, and the results are presented under the heading "Payment habits of Swedish people" below. The other survey is aimed at small businesses in retail and parts of the service sector. The survey has been conducted twice, most recently in 2025, and is presented below under the heading "Small Businesses' Views on Payments."
Payment habits of Swedish people
The survey shows, among other things, that the use of digital payment methods continues to increase, not least through mobile payments. This indicates a high level of trust in digital and mobile payment solutions, as well as a high level of digital familiarity among the population. At the same time, cash usage continues to decline.
The survey is conducted every other year to provide an overview of the payment habits of the Swedish population and how they change over time. In the 2025 survey, a total of 2,008 randomly selected individuals aged 18 - 84 were interviewed. The data collection period was from September 8 to 19, 2025.
Numerical data, Payment patterns in Sweden 2025 (xlsx)
Numerical data, Payments patterns in Sweden 2023 (xlsx)
Numerical data, Payments patterns in Sweden 2022 (xlsx)
Numerical data, Payments patterns in Sweden 2020 (xlsx)
Payments patterns in Sweden 2018.pdf
Numerical data, Payments patterns in Sweden 2018 (xlsx)
Numerical data, Payments patterns in Sweden 2018 rural areas (xlsx)
Small businesses’ views on payments
The Riksbank’s survey of small businesses’ views on payments provides a picture of how they perceive payments as payees. In the survey, the Riksbank asks respondents which payment methods they accept, what their contingency plans are and what their payment costs are. The survey shows, among other things, that card payments are the most commonly accepted payment method, followed by Swish and cash. However, acceptance of different payment methods varies considerably depending on the industry and the company's average sales amount. The survey indicates that it is important for just over one in two small businesses to receive payments directly into their account rather than after a few days.
The survey was conducted for the first time in 2024 and repeated in 2025. It was sent to businesses with 0–49 employees and an annual turnover of at least SEK 500,000. The survey targeted five retail sectors, as well as hairdressers and restaurants, and covered payments at both physical points of sale and e-commerce. The survey was conducted between 3 September and 28 October 2025 and 898 companies responded.
Numerical data, Small businesses’ views on payments 2025
Numerical data, Small businesses’ views on payments 2024
Staff memo, Small businesses’ views on payments
Other surveys
Survey on cross-border payments
In connection with the survey on payment habits in 2023, the Riksbank also conducted a targeted survey on cross-border payments, also known as remittances, to gain a picture of how foreign-born persons and persons with foreign-born parents send money to people in other countries. The survey interviewed 443 randomly selected foreign-born persons aged 18 to 79 and 412 randomly selected foreign-born persons or persons with foreign-born parents aged 18 to 79. The data collection period was between 26 September and 16 October 2023.
Numerical data, Cross-border payments, foreign-born persons, 2023 (xlsx)
Common to pay with Swish and card
The Swedish people's response to the survey question “Which means of payment have you used in the last 30 days?”, per cent. Several responses possible.
Figure: Common to pay with Swish and card
Information is updated every second year. Use the slider below the diagram to adjust the time interval. Download the data from the diagram by clicking on the arrow to the right, above the diagram.
Source: The Riksbank.
Cash is being used to a lesser extent
Percentage of people paying for their most recent purchase in cash.
Figure: Cash is being used to a lesser extent
Information is updated every second year. Download the data from the diagram by clicking on the arrow to the right, above the diagram.
Source: The Riksbank.
Card payments dominate for purchases in shops
The Swedish people's response to the survey question “How did you pay for your last purchase in a shop?”, per cent.
Figure: Card payments dominate for purchases in shops
Information is updated every second year. Download the data from the diagram by clicking on the arrow to the right, above the diagram.
Source: The Riksbank.
Debit cards and Swish most commonly used for e-commerce payments
Percentage of people paying by each payment method in e-commerce over the past 30 days, 2025.
Figure: Debit cards and Swish most commonly used for e-commerce payments
Note: Several responses were possible. Direct payments are payments where the payer follows a link from the online store to the online bank, where the payment is made directly. The question on buy-now-pay-later services has been reworded since the previous survey, which may affect the results.
Source: The Riksbank.
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