Kuwaiti consumer spending rises 5% to KD 27.9 billion over six months

"Wamda" service sees 52.3% growth to KD 5.56 billion

Data released by the Central Bank of Kuwait showed an increase in consumer activity in the local market during the first half of 2026, driven by the expanded use of electronic and digital payment methods. Total spending by citizens and residents rose by 5%, amounting to KD 1.309 billion, to reach KD 27.92 billion, compared to KD 26.59 billion during the same period in 2025.

The growth was not limited to the value of spending but also included the number of transactions executed, which rose to 809.57 million transactions, compared to 718 million transactions in the first half of last year. This represents an increase of 91.57 million transactions, or a growth rate of 12.7%, reflecting the broadening reliance on electronic payment solutions across various sectors.

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The value of spending was distributed between KD 14.034 billion across 392.3 million transactions during the first quarter, and KD 13.888 billion through 417.26 million transactions in the second quarter, indicating sustained momentum in the number of executed transactions despite the similarity in spending values between the two periods.

Point-of-sale (POS) purchases accounted for the largest share of total spending, valued at KD 9.462 billion through 505.04 million transactions within Kuwait and abroad. Meanwhile, e-commerce recorded transactions worth KD 8.533 billion through 186.98 million transactions, signaling the continued growth in reliance on online purchasing and payment.

Conversely, the value of cash withdrawals executed via ATMs reached KD 4.369 billion, distributed across 31.98 million transactions during the first half of the year.

The instant payment service "Wamda" continued to record strong growth rates since its launch. The value of transactions executed through it rose by 52.3% to reach KD 5.557 billion, compared to KD 3.649 billion during the same period in 2025, an increase of KD 1.908 billion.

The number of "Wamda" transactions also saw significant growth, rising to 85.56 million transactions, compared to 47.91 million in the first half of last year, reflecting the expanding use of instant payment services among individuals and businesses.

According to the data, the service recorded transactions worth KD 2.646 billion through 40.38 million transactions during the first quarter, while rising to KD 2.91 billion through 45.18 million transactions in the second quarter, continuing to achieve sustained growth in both the value and number of transactions.