The volume and number of non-cash transactions using payment cards in Kazakhstan continue to increase. Cash withdrawal operations have also grown compared to the previous year.
As of April 1, 2024, there were 75.8 million payment cards in circulation, as reported by the National Bank of Kazakhstan.
In March 2024, transactions using payment cards from Kazakhstani issuers amounted to 13.8 trillion tenge, with a total of 987 million transactions. Compared to the same period in 2023, the number of non-cash transactions increased by 7.8% to 966.5 million operations, and the volume grew by 8.3% to reach 11.8 trillion tenge.
Holders of payment cards conducted 20.6 million cash withdrawal operations totaling 2 trillion tenge. The majority of cash withdrawal operations were carried out through ATMs, accounting for 98.4% of the total number of operations.
Concerning non-cash transactions, they were mainly conducted through internet or mobile banking, representing 79.8% of the total number and 89.4% of the total volume of non-cash payments and money transfers. POS terminals ranked second at 20.1% and 10.3%, respectively.
Debit cards account for 80.9% of the total card volume in circulation, while credit cards are less popular, representing a share of 16.2%. Debit cards with a credit limit and prepaid cards make up only 2.9% of the total.
According to the regulator, as of April 1, 18 banks were issuing payment cards. These organizations issue and distribute payment cards of international systems. Additionally, banks in Kazakhstan issue payment cards of local systems.
