Skip to content
Search with agent.i

Credit card statistics - 2025

Victoria Russell
Written by  Victoria Russell
3 min read
Updated: 17 Feb 2025

Key takeaways

  • The average person could save £417[1] by moving credit card balances to a specialist balance transfer credit card.

  • Average credit card debt for UK households in 2024 was £2,486, a 14% increase compared to 2014

  • According to the Bank of England, total outstanding credit card debt in September 2024 was £71.7 billion, which was 9.5% higher than the previous year.

UK credit card statistics - 2025

Credit cards are a flexible method of borrowing money, earning rewards when you spend, and consolidating debt. In the UK, we rely on them to manage our finances.

We've collated credit card statistics from our own enquiry data and trusted third-party reports to dive into the market, UK spending, and how we're using them in everyday life.

UK credit card spending and balances

  • According to the Bank of England, total outstanding credit card debt in September 2024 was £71.7 billion, which was 9.5% higher than the previous year.

  • In October 2024, average UK credit card spend was £790, which was 5.5% down month on month, and 1% up year over year.

UK credit card market - 2025

Today, there are 23[2]credit card providers with products available through MoneySuperMarket.

Top cards by card type

  • The longest interest free balance transfer period available through MoneySuperMarket is 34[2]months.

  • The longest interest free purchase card period available through MoneySuperMarket is 24[2]months.

  • The highest guaranteed credit limit available through MoneySuperMarket is £2500[3], available on balance transfer credit cards, and interest-free spending credit cards.

Median credit limits

Card type

Median credit limit

Credit builder

£500[4]

Rewards

£2500[5]

Balance transfer and purchase

£2000[6]

Balance transfer

£2500[3]

Travel (spending abroad)

£2000[7]

Interest-free purchase

£2500[8]

Median APR

Median APR varies by card type, and many cards come with promotional interest rates.

Card type

Median APR

Credit builder

35.0%[9]

Rewards

36.4%[10]

Balance transfer and purchase

24.90%[11]

Balance transfer

24.90%[12]

Travel

32.90%[13]

Interest-free purchase

24.90%[14]

Sources and methodology

Live MoneySuperMarket Enquiry Date

The Money Charity - Money Statistics December 2024

Bank of England - Money And Credit September 2024

FICO - FICO UK Credit Card Market Report: October 2024

NimbleFins - Average household debt UK

Mintel - Credit Cards report 2024

Annual saving based on 51% of customers transferring £2,382 from a 24.9% (variable) p.a. card, with a 5% monthly repayment (May 2025). BoE and UK Finance.

Representative example: transferring £2,382, 3.45% balance transfer fee, 0% over 33 months then 24.9% (variable) p.a. Representative 24.9% APR. Credit broker not lender. 18+ UK only. Subject to status. Moneysupermarket data correct as of 10th June 2025

Accurate as of 17 June 2025.

Based on the median guaranteed credit limit of users searching for credit cards to transfer an existing balance through MoneySuperMarket in May 2025, by the highest eligibility rating returned.

Based on the median guaranteed credit limit of users searching for credit cards to improve their credit rating through MoneySuperMarket in May 2025, by the highest eligibility rating returned.

Based on the median guaranteed credit limit of users searching for credit cards to earn rewards on their spending through MoneySuperMarket in May 2025, by the highest eligibility rating returned.

Based on the median guaranteed credit limit of users searching for credit cards to transfer a balance & have interest free spending through MoneySuperMarket in May 2025, by the highest eligibility rating returned.

Based on the median guaranteed credit limit of users searching for credit cards to spend abroad through MoneySuperMarket in May 2025, by the highest eligibility rating returned.

Based on the median guaranteed credit limit of users searching for credit cards to have interest free spending through MoneySuperMarket in May 2025, by the highest eligibility rating returned.

Based on the average Representative APR of users clicking out on credit cards products, to improve their credit rating through MoneySuperMarket between March 2025 and May 2025.

Based on the average Representative APR of users clicking out on credit cards products, to earn rewards on their spending through MoneySuperMarket between March 2025 and May 2025.

Based on the median Representative APR of users searching for credit cards to transfer a balance & have interest free spending through MoneySuperMarket on 16 June 2025, by the highest eligibility rating returned.

Based on the median Representative APR of users searching for credit cards to transfer an existing balance through MoneySuperMarket on 16 June 2025, by the highest eligibility rating returned.

Based on the median Representative APR of users searching for credit cards to spend abroad through MoneySuperMarket on 16 June 2025, by the highest eligibility rating returned.

Based on the median Representative APR of users searching for credit cards to have interest free spending through MoneySuperMarket on 16 June 2025, by the highest eligibility rating returned.