did so in other developing economies

Digital online merchant payments

In developing economies, 26 percent of adults made a digital online merchant payment (figure 2.1.17). The widespread use of such payments in China (71 percent of adults) again drives this average. Four percent of adults in China made their first online merchant payment after the start of the pandemic. Excluding China, just 9 percent of adults in developing economies made a digital online merchant payment. Less than 2 percent of adults in developing economies, excluding China, made their first online payment after the outbreak of the pandemic. This finding highlights that online payments require a supportive infrastructure, including technology, security, and delivery logistics, which takes time to build. Despite this generally low average number, digital online merchant payments were relevant in some economies. In Malaysia, Mongolia, Russia, and Thailand, more than one-third of adults made such a payment (figure 2.1.18).

FIGURE 2.1.17 In China, many adults made digital online merchant payments—but few did so in other developing economies

Adults with an account (%), 2021

Made digital online merchant payments for the first time after the start of COVID-19 Made digital online merchant payments, but not for the first time after the start of COVID-19 Did not make digital online merchant payments

Source: Global Findex Database 2021.