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Report on the payment attitudes of consumers in Italy: results from the ECB SPACE 2022 survey

Author

Listed:
  • Gabriele Coletti

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Alberto Di Iorio

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Emanuele Pimpini

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Giorgia Rocco

    (Bank of Italy)

Abstract

This report presents findings for Italy from the ‘Study on the payment attitudes of consumers in the euro area (SPACE) – 2022’, conducted by the European Central Bank between the end of 2021 and the first half of 2022. The primary aim of the report is to provide updated information on the prevailing trends in the use of payment methods in Italy. Additionally, where applicable and useful, the report compares Italy’s results with those of the euro area and with data from the previous run of the survey, conducted in 2019, and from the ‘Study on the use of cash by households in the euro area’ (SUCH), conducted in 2015-16. The data show that, while cash remains the dominant payment method at the Point of Sale (POS), especially for low-value purchases (up to €50), its overall usage has declined in comparison with the findings of the previous editions of the survey. In terms of value of transactions, non-cash payments have gained importance, accounting for more than half of total expenditures at POS. Cashless payments are increasing overall, supported also by an uptake in e-commerce purchases. Specifically, cards, besides being the greatest competitor of cash for POS transactions, continue to be the most used means of payment both in terms of number and value of transactions for online purchases.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriele Coletti & Alberto Di Iorio & Emanuele Pimpini & Giorgia Rocco, 2023. "Report on the payment attitudes of consumers in Italy: results from the ECB SPACE 2022 survey," Mercati, infrastrutture, sistemi di pagamento (Markets, Infrastructures, Payment Systems) 42, Bank of Italy, Directorate General for Markets and Payment System.
    • Handle: RePEc:bdi:wpmisp:mip_042_23
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.bancaditalia.it/pubblicazioni/mercati-infrastrutture-e-sistemi-di-pagamento/approfondimenti/2023-042/N.42-MISP.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alberto Di Iorio & Giorgia Rocco, 2025. "Easier Said Than Done: Why Italians Pay in Cash While Preferring Cashless," International Journal of Central Banking, International Journal of Central Banking, vol. 21(3), pages 155-184, July.
    2. Esselink, Henk & Gijsel, Lola Hernandez-van, 2017. "The use of cash by households in the euro area," Occasional Paper Series 201, European Central Bank.
    3. Giorgia Rocco, 2019. "The use of cash in Italy: evidence from the ECB Study on the use of cash by households," Questioni di Economia e Finanza (Occasional Papers) 481, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    4. repec:bdi:wptemi:misp_021_22 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Guerino Ardizzi & Andrea Nobili & Giorgia Rocco, 2020. "A game changer in payment habits: evidence from daily data during a pandemic," Questioni di Economia e Finanza (Occasional Papers) 591, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Rösl, Gerhard & Seitz, Franz, 2024. "Resilience and the cash infrastructure: The role of access, acceptance, availability, and affordability," Weidener Diskussionspapiere 93, University of Applied Sciences Amberg-Weiden (OTH).
    2. Krüger, Malte & Seitz, Franz, 2025. "Kosten von Zahlungsmitteln für Konsumenten: Literaturauswertung und Sensitivitätsanalysen," Weidener Diskussionspapiere 97, University of Applied Sciences Amberg-Weiden (OTH).
    3. Krüger, Malte & Seitz, Franz, 2025. "Costs of means of payment for consumers: Literature review and some sensitivity analyses," IMFS Working Paper Series 218, Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute for Monetary and Financial Stability (IMFS).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance

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