QR Code Statistics 2025: Usage, Trends, and Growth Data
LinkScan Team
Research
QR codes went from "remember those?" to "scan to pay" in the space of a pandemic. The numbers tell the story of a technology that found its moment. Here are the statistics that matter for 2025, drawn from research by Juniper, Statista, eMarketer, and industry reports.
2.2B
Global Users
$5.4T
In Payments
100M
US Scanners
323%
Growth Since 2021
Global Adoption: 2.2 Billion Users
According to Juniper Research, the total number of QR code payment users will exceed 2.2 billion globally in 2025. That is up from 1.5 billion in 2020, representing a 47% increase in five years.
To put that in perspective: 29% of all mobile phone users worldwide will scan a QR code to make a payment this year. Not just scan a code. Pay with one.
The Pandemic Effect
COVID-19 accelerated QR adoption by years. Contactless menus, touchless payments, and vaccine passports pushed the technology into mainstream consciousness. A Statista survey found 59% of respondents believe QR codes will be a permanent part of their smartphone usage.
United States: 100 Million Scanners
The US market tells a story of steady, significant growth. According to Statista and eMarketer, approximately 99.5 million Americans will scan QR codes with their smartphones in 2025, approaching the 100 million mark.
That is a 19% increase from 83.4 million in 2022. For context, the US saw 240% growth in QR code users between 2020 and 2025, driven largely by contactless payment adoption and restaurant menu scanning.
| Year | US QR Code Users | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 70.8M | - |
| 2022 | 89M | +26% |
| 2024 | 89.5M | +0.5% |
| 2025 | 99.5M | +11% |
Source: Statista, eMarketer projections
Payment Volume: $5.4 Trillion
Here is where the numbers get staggering. Juniper Research reports that QR code payment value will reach $5.4 trillion globally in 2025. That is not a typo. Trillion, with a T.
And it is growing. Juniper forecasts 50% growth from 2025, reaching over $8 trillion by 2029. The drivers are twofold: developing markets leapfrogging card infrastructure entirely, and developed markets embracing contactless convenience.
China Leads
China processes over 90% of its mobile payments via QR codes, representing $3.7 trillion in annual transaction value. WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate.
India Surges
Over 9 million Indian merchants now accept QR payments. The country saw 42% year-on-year growth in digital payments during 2023-2024.
How People Actually Use QR Codes
Not every scan is a payment. Research shows diverse usage patterns:
- 84% of smartphone users have scanned a QR code at least once
- 72% scan at least once per month
- 32% scan at least once per week
- 52% of US restaurants now use QR code menus
The weekly scanners are the interesting group. These are not people scanning out of curiosity. They are integrating QR codes into their routines, whether for payments, loyalty programmes, or accessing information.
No App Required
A key driver of adoption: iOS 11+ and Android 10+ scan QR codes natively through the camera app. No third-party scanner needed. This removed the friction that held QR codes back for years.
Industry Growth: Marketing Up 323%
The marketing and advertising industries have embraced QR codes with particular enthusiasm. According to QR TIGER's industry analysis, marketing QR code scans grew 323% between 2021 and 2024.
Why? Measurability. A QR code on a billboard, flyer, or product package creates a trackable link between physical media and digital engagement. Marketers can finally answer "did anyone actually scan that?"
Key Marketing Stats
- 37% average CTR on QR-initiated journeys
- 95% of businesses say QR codes help collect first-party data
- 247% increase in consumer goods QR usage since 2021
Market Size: $13 Billion and Growing
The QR code market itself, including hardware, software, and services, is valued at approximately $13 billion in 2025 according to Mordor Intelligence. Projections put it at $28.6 billion by 2030, growing at 17% annually.
The payment segment drives much of this growth. Grand View Research estimates the QR code payment market alone will reach $61.7 billion by 2033.
Regional Breakdown
QR code adoption varies dramatically by region:
| Region | Market Share | Notable |
|---|---|---|
| Asia Pacific | 60%+ | China dominates with WeChat/Alipay |
| North America | 35% | US accounts for 43.9% of global scans |
| Europe | 20% | Growing but faces NFC competition |
| Emerging Markets | 6% | Highest growth rates |
Asia Pacific's dominance reflects infrastructure realities. In markets where card penetration was historically low, QR codes offered a shortcut to digital payments. China and India did not need to build card networks. They skipped straight to scanning.
What Comes Next
The trajectory is clear, but challenges loom. Apple's decision to open NFC access to third-party apps increases competition for QR codes in payments, particularly in North America and Europe where iPhones dominate.
Still, Juniper predicts QR payments will reach $8 trillion by 2029. The technology's simplicity, its lack of hardware requirements, and its universal smartphone support ensure it remains relevant even as alternatives emerge.
For businesses, the message is straightforward: QR codes are no longer experimental. They are infrastructure. Nearly 100 million Americans scan them. Over 2 billion people worldwide use them for payments. The question is not whether to use QR codes, but how.