HKMA Reports 3.2% Rise in Credit Cards Issued in Hong Kong for Q4 2024

2025-03-21 16:55 Last Updated At：17:08

Statistics of payment cards issued in Hong Kong for fourth quarter 2024

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) published today (March 21) statistics of payment cards issued in Hong Kong for the fourth quarter of 2024.

The payment card statistics (see Annex) include quarterly data on credit and debit cards issued in Hong Kong under the credit and/or debit card schemes of the eight payment card scheme operators (Note 1). The HKMA began to publish the payment card statistics on a quarterly basis in June 2010 to enhance transparency of the payment card industry in Hong Kong, in line with international practice.

According to the quarterly statistics, the total number of credit cards in circulation (Note 2) was 20.94 million by the end of Q4/2024. The figure represents a 3.2 per cent increase from the previous quarter and a 6.4per cent increase from the previous year. The number and value of credit card transactions (including retail sales and cash advances) (Note 3) are susceptible to seasonal factors and the general economic environment, making the trends more prone to fluctuation. The total number of credit card transactions was 339.27 million for Q4/2024, representing a 3.1per cent increase from the previous quarter and a 11.9per cent increase from the same period in 2023. The total value of credit card transactions was HK$271.4 billion for Q4/2024, representing a 9.1per centincreasefrom the previous quarter and a 10.8per centincreasefrom the same period in 2023. Of the total transaction value, HK$182.8 billion (67.4per cent) was related to retail spending in Hong Kong, HK$79.3 billion (29.2per cent) in retail spending overseas and HK$9.3 billion (3.4per cent) in cash advances.

The total number of debit cards in circulation is not available due to overlapping of debit card brands in a single card. Like the number and value of credit card transactions, the number and value of debit card transactions in relation to retail sales and bills payments (Note 4) are also affected by seasonal factors. On a quarterly basis, the total number of debit card transactions in relation to retail sales and bills payments increased by 2.7per cent to55.50 million while the total value increasedby 6.6per centto HK$73.0 billion in Q4/2024. When compared to the same period in 2023, the total number increasedby 14.1per centand the total value droppedby 0.2per centin Q4/2024.

Note 1:The payment card statistics are compiled from data on credit and debit cards issued in Hong Kong by both authorized institutions (AIs) and non-authorized institutions (non-AIs) under the credit and/or debit card schemes of the eight payment card scheme operators ("the card operators"). The card operators, in alphabetical order, are American Express International, Inc., Discover Financial Services (Hong Kong) Limited, EPS Company (Hong Kong) Limited (EPSCO), JCB International (Asia) Ltd, Joint Electronic Teller Services Ltd. (JETCO), MasterCard Asia/Pacific Pte. Ltd., UnionPay International Co. Ltd and Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited.

Note 2:A credit card issued in Hong Kong only carries one credit card brand. The total number of credit cards in circulation refers to the total number of credit cards (i.e. cards with a credit function) issued in Hong Kong under the credit card schemes of card operators (but excluding EPSCO and JETCO, which do not operate a credit card scheme). Some of these credit cards carry debit card functions, i.e. the credit card can be used for making purchases/payments or cash withdrawal at ATMs through directly debiting cardholders' bank accounts.

Note 3:The total number/value of credit card transactions refer to the total number/value of transactions made via credit card accounts of credit cards issued in Hong Kong under the credit card schemes of card operators (excluding EPSCO and JETCO). Starting from March 2015, a Hong Kong/overseas spending breakdown of credit card retail sales transactions is provided.

Note 4:The total number/value of debit card transactions in relation to retail sales/bill payments refers to the total number/value of those transactions made via debiting cardholders' bank accounts. Some of the eight card operators do not operate a debit card scheme. Care should be exercised in combining the credit card retail sales figures and the debit card retail sales/bills payment figures because of the possibility of double counting.

Last Chance to Visit Hong Kong Flower Show Before It Closes Tomorrow at 9 PM!

2025-03-22 12:20 Last Updated At：12:38

Spectacular Hong Kong Flower Show to close tomorrow

The annual spectacular Hong Kong Flower Show at Victoria Park will close at 9pm tomorrow (March 23). Members of the public who wish to see tens of thousands of blooming flowers at the event should grasp the last chance to visit.

After the show, flowers that are in good condition and suitable for replanting will be distributed to the public at 9am on March 24 at the park's South Pavilion Plaza (near the Sugar Street entrance). It is estimated that about 3 500 pots will be distributed, subject to conditions of the plants. Each person will be given one pot only on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last. To help protect the environment, members of the public are encouraged to bring their own bags.

During the flower show period, various recreational fringe activities have been held at the showground. One of the activities, the Jockey Club Student Drawing Competition, held its prize presentation ceremony today (March 22). Winning entries are now on display at the showground.

The competition was conducted in five categories and the champions are as follows:

Junior Section in Primary School:

Lee Mung-lam from Lee Chi Tat Memorial School

Senior Section in Primary School:

Fang Yun-wei from Y.C.H. Choi Hin To Primary School

Junior Section in Secondary School:

Li Yi-wan from Shun Lee Catholic Secondary School

Senior Section in Secondary School:

Deng Man-yuen from C.C.C. Mong Man Wai College

Tertiary Institution Section:

Huang Wei-cheng from Hong Kong Design Institute

In addition, National Games Exhibition and fun-filled family programmes are being held on the park's central lawn. They include balloon-twisting, magic shows, bouncy slide, Jockey Club Community Green Playground, green activities workshops as well as the newly added busking performances. For the schedule of the activities, please refer to the webpage www.hkflowershow.hk/en/hkfs/2025/activities.html.

Meanwhile, the flower show is hosting an online voting campaign called "My Most Favourite Garden Plot" (www.hkflowershow.hk/en/hkfs/2025/voting.html). Voters can choose their favourite from the garden plots of the 18 districts at the flower show, with the chance of winning free air tickets.

The flower show is running until March 23 from 9am to 9pm daily. For more details and its admission fee arrangements, please visit the webpage www.hkflowershow.hk/en/hkfs/2025/index.html or call 2601 8260 for enquiry.

The flower show is organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has supported the flower show since 2013 and has been its major sponsor since 2014.