In an unexpected twist to the digital payment revolution, young Irish adults are emerging as the nation’s most frequent cash users, according to new research commissioned by An Post. The study reveals that 35% of people aged 18-24 use cash daily, significantly higher than the 26% reported among those aged 35-44.
The national survey, conducted by Empathy, shows that 28% of all Irish adults still use cash at least once a day, while 10% handle cash 4-6 times weekly. This trend persists despite the increasing popularity of contactless payments and mobile wallets.
Cash remains particularly popular for specific transactions, with 44% of respondents using it primarily for groceries and small purchases. Other common cash uses include giving gifts to loved ones (38%), tipping in hospitality settings (37%), paying for personal care services (30%), and compensating tradespeople (17%).
The research challenges the assumption that younger generations prefer digital payments exclusively, with only 2% of all respondents reporting they never use cash. This suggests that despite technological advances, cash continues to play a vital role in Irish consumer behavior, particularly among younger adults.