QR Code Statistics 2023: Global Adoption, Use Cases, and Trends

QR (Quick Response) codes have become an integral part of our daily lives, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. These two-dimensional barcodes enable businesses to provide contactless solutions for information sharing, payments, and more. In this blog post, we will delve into some interesting statistics surrounding the widespread use of QR codes and their impact on various industries

Number of smartphone users in the United States who used a QR code scanner on their mobile devices from 2020 to 2025

Global QR Code Usage

According to a study by Statista, the number of QR code coupon redemptions reached 5.3 billion in 2020, and it is predicted to surpass 11 billion by 2022 [1]. This significant growth highlights the increasing adoption of QR codes as a means of communication and interaction between businesses and consumers.

QR Code Payments on the Rise

Mobile payment services like Apple Pay and Google Pay have also embraced QR codes for quick and secure transactions. A report from Juniper Research shows that the value of QR code payments reached $2.1 trillion in 2021 and is projected to exceed $2.7 trillion by 2025 [2]. This surge in QR code-based transactions indicates a shift in consumer preferences towards contactless payment methods.

QR Codes in Retail and Marketing

A study by MobileIron revealed that 74% of consumers in the United States have used QR codes to complete a transaction or obtain information  Moreover, 32% of these consumers use QR codes at least once a week. This growing usage emphasizes the importance of QR codes in retail and marketing strategies, especially in a post-pandemic world.

Impact on the Restaurant Industry

With social distancing measures in place, restaurants have turned to QR codes to facilitate contactless menus and ordering systems. Data from a Toast survey reveals that 56% of restaurant owners and managers in the United States are using QR codes for digital menus and ordering [4]. This trend is likely to continue even after the pandemic, as businesses and consumers adapt to the convenience of digital interactions.

QR Code Scanning Software Adoption

As QR code usage becomes more prevalent, the need for scanning software is also on the rise. A survey conducted by Deloitte found that 70% of smartphone users have downloaded a QR code scanning app. This suggests that businesses investing in QR code technology can expect a majority of their target audience to be equipped with the necessary tools for engagement. QRcode.co.uk is also popular QR code generator software for uk companies.

Other QR Code Statistics You Should Know

• Statista predicts that QR code coupon redemptions will surpass 11 billion by 2022, showing increased consumer adoption.
• Juniper Research estimates that the value of QR code payments will exceed $2.7 trillion by 2025, indicating a preference for contactless transactions.
• A MobileIron study reveals that 74% of US consumers have used QR codes for transactions or information, highlighting their importance in retail and marketing.
• According to a Toast survey, 56% of US restaurant owners and managers use QR codes for digital menus and ordering, emphasizing their impact on the industry.
• Deloitte found that 70% of smartphone users have downloaded a QR code scanning app, ensuring widespread accessibility for QR code technology.
  
  

QR Code Usage By Country

In recent years, QR codes have experienced a significant surge in adoption, with both developed and developing countries embracing this technology.

Below are some key QR code statistics from various countries to provide a clearer perspective:

United States

• A June 2021 US survey revealed that 45% of participants had utilized a marketing QR code at least once within a three-month period. Additionally, 54% of individuals aged 18-29 and 48% aged 30-44 had used a marketing QR code. (Statista)
• The number of US households scanning QR codes increased from 9.76 million in 2018 to 11 million in 2020. (Statista)
• 27.95% of American consumers concur, while 18.8% strongly believe that QR code usage has risen following the pandemic. (Statista)
• US smartphone QR code scanner users are projected to grow from 83.4 million in 2022 to 99.5 million in 2025. (Business Insider)

China

• Although QR codes originated in Japan, China was the first country to recognize and extensively implement their potential. QR codes are now an integral part of daily life in China.
• Over half of China's population interacts with QR codes multiple times per week. (Packaging Insights)
• Chinese users engage with QR codes 10-15 times daily. (Go Click China)
• In 2020, China registered QR code transactions totaling $5.5 trillion. (Go Click China)

India

• The rapid expansion of digital payments and UPI platforms in India has significantly contributed to the country's exponential QR code adoption.
• More than 9 million merchants in India accept payments via QR codes. (Mobile Transaction)
• The UPI interface, which allows users to make bank payments using QR codes, logged 2.8 billion transactions valued at INR 5 trillion in June 2021. (Statista)

Europe

• Europe has been slower to adopt QR codes compared to other regions, but it is swiftly integrating QR codes for payments and other applications.
• 86.66% of UK and European smartphone users have scanned a QR code at least once in their lives. (Martech Alliance)
• 36.40% of smartphone users scan a minimum of one QR code per week. (Martech Alliance)

QR Code Usage By Use Cases

QR code statistics can be categorized based on various use cases, including payments, marketing, information sharing, and authentication. Here are some key statistics for each of these use cases:

QR Codes in Payments:

• In India, more than 9 million merchants accept QR code payments (Mobile Transaction).
• In 2020, China recorded $5.5 trillion in QR code transactions (Go Click China).
• The UPI interface, an Indian payment system that utilizes QR codes, processed 2.8 billion transactions worth INR 5 trillion in June 2021 (Statista).

QR Codes in Marketing:

• In the US, 45% of respondents in a June 2021 survey had used a marketing QR code at least once within a three-month period. Furthermore, 54% of respondents aged 18-29 and 48% aged 30-44 had used a marketing QR code (Statista).
• 86.66% of smartphone users in the UK and Europe have scanned a QR code at least once, with 36.40% scanning at least one QR code per week (Martech Alliance).

QR Codes in Information Sharing:

• QR codes are commonly used to share information, such as product details, website links, and contact information. However, specific statistics regarding information sharing via QR codes are limited.
• A general statistic indicates that over 50% of the Chinese population uses QR codes several times a week, which includes information sharing purposes (Packaging Insights).

Authentication and Security:

• QR codes are increasingly being used for authentication purposes, such as in contact tracing apps or for verifying event tickets. While specific statistics are scarce, the growing use of QR codes for these purposes is evident in various industries and sectors.

In summary, QR codes have found extensive application across various use cases, such as payments, marketing, information sharing, and authentication. Although specific statistics for some use cases are limited, the overall adoption of QR codes has been rising in recent years.

Most Popular Type of QR Codes

There are various types of QR codes, each serving different purposes. However, due to the limitations of available data, it's challenging to pinpoint the most commonly used QR codes based on statistics. The popularity of QR code usage varies by region, industry, and the specific use case.

Some popular types of QR codes include:

1. Dynamic URL QR Codes: These QR codes direct users to a specific webpage when scanned. They are widely used for marketing, product information, and promotions.
2. vCard QR Codes: vCard QR codes store contact information, allowing users to easily add new contacts to their phones when scanned. These are often used on business cards, event badges, and networking events.
3. SMS QR Codes: When scanned, these QR codes open the user's messaging app with a pre-filled text message and recipient number, streamlining the communication process.
4. Email QR Codes Generators: Similar to SMS QR codes, email QR codes open the user's email client with a pre-filled subject and recipient address, making it easier to send emails to a specific contact or address.
5. Wi-Fi QR Codes: These QR codes contain Wi-Fi network credentials, enabling users to connect to a Wi-Fi network without entering a password manually.
6. Event QR Codes: These QR codes store event details such as date, time, and location, allowing users to add events to their calendars when scanned.
7. App Store QR Codes: These QR codes direct users to download a specific app from the App Store or Google Play Store when scanned.

Although it's difficult to determine the most commonly used QR code type based on statistics, URL QR codes are arguably among the most frequently used due to their versatility across industries and use cases. QR code usage has seen a significant increase since the COVID-19 pandemic, as businesses adopt contactless solutions for information sharing, marketing, payments, and more.

FAQ About QR Code Statistics

What is the growth rate of QR code usage globally?

The number of QR code coupon redemptions is predicted to surpass 11 billion by 2022, indicating significant growth in usage worldwide.

How much are QR code-based transactions expected to be worth by 2025?

The value of QR code payments is projected to exceed $2.7 trillion by 2025, showcasing a strong preference for contactless transactions.

What percentage of US consumers have used QR codes for transactions or information?

According to a MobileIron study, 74% of US consumers have used QR codes for transactions or obtaining information.

How prevalent is the use of QR codes in the restaurant industry?

A Toast survey found that 56% of US restaurant owners and managers use QR codes for digital menus and ordering, emphasizing their impact on the industry.

What proportion of smartphone users have downloaded a QR code scanning app?

A Deloitte survey revealed that 70% of smartphone users have downloaded a QR code scanning app, ensuring widespread accessibility for QR code technology.