Monthly number of active credit card accounts in the UK 2012-2025

The number of active credit card accounts in the United Kingdom (UK) generally increased between 2012 and 2021 with significant variation between certain months. There was a sharp increase in active credit card accounts between February 2019 and February 2020 and an equivalent decline thereafter. As of February 2025, there were 37.23 million accounts in the UK. Active credit card accounts are those with balances outstanding at the end of the calendar month, and make up more than half of the total credit card accounts in the UK for the same period. 

Transactions and purchases

The global coronavirus pandemic has had a negative effect on credit card transactions in the UK. Between December 2019 and June 2020, the number of monthly credit card transactions almost halved, while the value of purchases also saw a decrease into 2020. However, since late 2021, these trends have reversed, showing an overall increase despite some fluctuations.

Average purchase amounts

Along with the number of transactions and the fall in the value of purchases made, the average amount spent per purchase using a credit card also fell in 2020. Since then, the average value of the purchases made by individuals increased compared to pre-pandemic levels.