QR Code Statistics for 2024: Usage, Trends, Forecasts, and More

From being used to track vehicles during manufacturing to becoming one of the biggest marketing trends of the decade, QR codes have come a long way. QR codes have found their way into all industries, with major brands like Starbucks, IKEA, General Motors, Walmart, Nike, etc., using them.

The use cases of QR codes are substantial. Most brands leverage QR codes to bridge the gap between online and offline channels. This includes bringing users to websites or social media, sharing PDFs and other information, sharing contact details, collecting payments, and more. 

However, the QR code landscape has changed significantly over the past few years, especially after the pandemic. We’ve compiled some QR code statistics and forecasts to help you better understand the usage and potential of QR codes.

The global QR code market is booming at a robust CAGR

The global QR code market size was worth USD 1.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 3.5 billion by 2033, registering an impressive CAGR of 8.7% during the forecast period. 

What are some factors primarily fuelling the market growth?

• Increased global penetration of smartphones 

• Ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and versatility of QR codes 

• Rapid adoption of QR codes across various industries 

• Technological advances in QR codes, such as AR integration and high-tech security enhancements 

How many QR codes are generated and scanned globally?

QR codes are now increasingly common on billboards, print ads, restaurant menus, and product packaging. Brands are using these codes to connect with customers more conveniently and boost engagement. 

Each QR code scan contributes to lead generation and conversion, but have you ever thought about how many QR codes are generated and scanned across the globe? 

The global usage of QR codes has skyrocketed over recent years, with no signs of slowing down. QR code scans across 50 countries have increased exponentially by 57%; by 2025, it is projected to increase further by 22%. 
Increased QR code usage globally is attributed to a high generation rate: up to eight QR codes are generated per minute globally.
As per a report by Statista, around 89 million smartphone users in America – a nearly 26% surge from the 2020 figure – scanned QR codes for mobile payments and accessing web links or promotional offers in 2022. The number of users is projected to reach over 100 million by 2025. 
Another study finds that nearly 36.40% of mobile phone users in Europe scan at least one QR code in a week. Meanwhile, approximately 50% of consumers in China scan QR codes for various purposes more than once a week.

General QR code trends and statistics you should know in 2024

QR code usage around the world is likely to grow by 22% by 2025. The increasing adoption of QR codes is closely related to the rising ownership of mobile phones and the Internet.
As per 2023 statistics, 44.6% of internet users across the globe – aged between 16 years and 64 years – scan at least one QR code every month. 
There are approximately 4.88 billion smartphone users – which is 60.42% of the global population – in 2024. The number is expected to grow up to 6.38 billion by 2029. Widespread use of smartphones has led to a noticeable increase in QR code scans worldwide. 
The integration of cutting-edge technologies such as AI, AR, Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain into QR codes is a key industry trend, bringing significant benefits to various industries. 
As per the findings of a recent study on consumer experiences with QR codes, about 68% consumers in the U.S. used QR codes at least once during the last year. 51% millennials and 49% Gen Z consumers use these codes at least once every week, according to the study. Moreover, 29% of consumers expressed their concern about their data privacy and security, saying they would prefer using QR codes that are safe and secure.
In 2023, the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the U.K., Australia, Singapore, the Netherlands, and India were among the top 10 countries with the highest rates of QR code creation. 
The following countries lead the global QR code market in terms of total QR code scans: the U.S. (42.2%), India (16.1%), France (6.4%), Canada (3.6%), and the U.K. (3.6%).
As per a 2022 survey, nearly 83% of general retailers in the U.S. and U.K. felt the need to offer QR code and barcode scanner apps to prevent their customers from switching to other merchants.

QR code usage and adoption by region

The adoption of QR codes has seen a massive uptick over the past few years. Presently, all the developed and developing nations have adopted them.

Here are some region-specific QR code statistics to give you a better market outlook:

North America 

The U.S. dominated the North American QR code market with the highest market share in 2023. 
According to Future Market Insights, the U.S. QR code market size was USD 233 million in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 568.8 million by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period (2023-2033).  
Nearly 83.4 million adult smartphone users (about 37.5%) in the U.S. scanned QR codes in 2022, and the percentage is likely to shoot up to 42.6% by 2025.
As per a forecast by eMarketer, over 94 million consumers in the U.S. would be using smartphone QR scanners by the end of 2023, and the figure was projected to rise to 102.6 million by 2026.
According to a 2020 GS1 US research report – titled ‘Powering the Future of Retail’ – retailers (82%) and brand owners (92%) supported the transition from the UPC (universal product code) to data-rich 2D barcodes like QR codes over the next five years.
North America emerged as the leading regional market for QR code payments in 2022, accounting for a market share of 39%.

Europe

Europe is the second largest market for QR codes, with Germany, France, and the U.K. being the top countries in the region using the technology. 
The  QR code market in Germany was worth USD 51.4 million in 2023, and it is projected to grow to USD 124 million by 2033, registering a 5.5% CAGR. 
The France QR code market size is expected to grow from USD 75.8 million to USD 138.3 million over the forecast period (2023-2033), exhibiting a robust CAGR of 8.3%. 
According to a Statista report, QR code payments in Europe were worth USD 1.6 billion in 2021. The total spending is projected to increase to USD 2.3 billion by 2025. 
As per a 2021 survey conducted by Ivanti, 91% of respondents in the U.K. had scanned a QR code at least once in their lifetime. 42% in France had made a QR code transaction and 36% in Germany had scanned a QR code that led them to unexpected experiences, such as taking them to a suspicious website. 

Asia Pacific 

Though QR codes were invented in Japan, China was the first country to realize the potential of QR codes and use them on a large scale. Today, QR codes are the norm in China. These statistics showcase the boom of QR codes in China. 

The China QR code market was valued at USD 437.2 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 645.2 million by 2033 at a significant CAGR of 12.1%. 
China is known to have pioneered the use of QR codes in the world. Alipay and  WeChat Pay, the two leading digital payment platforms in China, account for over 90% of the country’s mobile payments market. 
As QR codes are becoming an integral part of everyday life, over 90% of mobile payments in China rely on QR codes. In 2022, China had around 10 billion mobile devices utilizing QR codes for online payments – a figure that exceeds all other nations. 
Users interact with QR codes 10-15 times a day in China. 

In Japan, consumers are increasingly using QR codes to access additional product information, restaurant menus, digital wallets, maps, and digital entertainment content. 

The Japan QR code market is projected to expand to USD 277.1 million in 2033 from USD 173.1 million in 2023, registering a 10.3% CAGR over the forecast period. 

QR code payments have surpassed electronic money in Japan, becoming the second most popular method for cashless payments. 

According to Statista, nearly 9.36 billion barcode and QR code payments were made at both online and physical stores in Japan in 2023. 
Japan’s monthly active users (MAUs) of barcode and QR code payment services increased from 23.1 million in January 2020 to a whopping 80.9 million in June 2024. 
Japan’s QR code-based payment market was worth 9.46 trillion Japanese Yen in 2021, and is projected to reach 19.76 trillion Japanese Yen by 2026.

India is one of the fastest-growing markets for QR codes in Asia Pacific. QR code adoption in India has grown exponentially due to the rise of digital payments and UPI platforms. 

Over 9 million merchants accept QR code payments in India. 
According to a PwC report, the digital payments industry in India has observed a 42% year-on-year growth during 2023-2024. The report further projects a threefold industry growth, from 159 billion transactions in 2024 to 481 billion by 2029.
A 2022 study conducted by Boston Consulting Group, in collaboration with leading Indian payments company PhonePe, predicted that digital payments in India would reach a staggering USD 10 trillion by 2026. 
In September 2022, BHIM UPI QR code acceptance in India reached 216 million, marking a significant increase of 79.5% from the previous year.
In a 2022 market study by YouGov, 81% of consumers in China, 78% in Hong Kong, 77% in India, and 74% in Singapore agreed that they had been utilizing QR codes more actively than ever.

QR code statistics by applications

The applications of QR codes have multiplied over the past few years, with almost all industries using QR codes for marketing and administrative uses. Here are some industry-specific QR code statistics to help you understand how QR codes are becoming mainstream across these industries.

Marketing & Advertising 

A revolutionary tool in the marketing landscape, QR codes help businesses enhance customer engagement, optimize their marketing campaigns’ reach, and boost sales. Nearly 40% of QR code scans around the world are linked to marketing campaigns. 

QR codes have become an indispensable part of the marketing and advertising campaigns of most businesses, helping them generate more leads and boost conversions.

Based on a 2024 report, the marketing and advertising industries registered a whopping 323% rise in QR code scans in 2023, while the consumer goods industry saw a 247% jump in QR code usage since 2021. 
According to a 2022 survey, 99% of respondents – who were advertising professionals – believed leveraging QR codes is essential for advertising companies for targeting Gen Z.
As per a study published by The Drum, 45% of consumers in the U.S. reported using QR codes related to marketing or advertising campaigns.

QR codes are one of the most effective omnichannel tools in the market. They bridge the gap between online and offline marketing, helping you create an integrated and immersive consumer experience. 

Brands with an omnichannel strategy retain about 89% of customers, compared to 33% for their single-channel counterparts.
72% of digital shoppers consider the in-store shopping experience vital for making a purchase decision.

Payments

Digital payments have been one of the most notable use cases of QR codes. With QR codes, users can make payments online in a few seconds. The process is secure and hassle-free. 

The global QR code payment market is projected to be worth USD 45 billion by 2032, growing from USD 10.4 billion in 2023 at a 15% CAGR.
The global digital payments market value is expected to increase from USD 8.97 trillion in 2023 to USD 28.16 trillion in 2032, exhibiting a 13.55% CAGR.
A 2022 study conducted by Juniper Research projected that the global spending via QR code payments would reach up to USD 3 trillion by 2025, up from USD 2.4 trillion in 2022. 
According to Statista, China had around 10 billion smartphone devices used for QR code payments in 2022, exceeding any other country across the globe. 
The ‘scan and pay’ payment method has gained the most traction in China, capturing more than 90% of its mobile payment market. Moreover, it became popular in India following the demonetization initiative started by the government to move towards a cashless economy. 
In China, the average QR transaction value is around RMB 40.6 trillion per quarter.

Hospitality (Restaurants & hotels)

The hospitality industry, including hotels and restaurants, has implemented QR codes in its end-to-end operations. This trend has grown significantly after the pandemic. 

Nearly 75% of restaurants worldwide have used QR codes for seamless access to digital menus, driving customer engagement by 40%.
Based on Datassential’s FoodBytes report, 58% of consumers liked having an option to pay at restaurants and grocery stores using QR codes. According to the report, 49% of consumers had used QR codes to view restaurant menus. 
According to Eater, 78% of customers prefer to place orders at restaurants or diners via QR code menus. 
In a 2022 Deloitte report, it was found that consumers’ spending increases by around 20% when they order at restaurants through online menus, tableside ordering, or other technology. QR codes are transforming the dining experience by facilitating faster digital ordering and bill payments.

Retail and Consumer Goods 

QR codes define the next era of the retail industry, bridging the gap between the physical and digital experiences for consumers. 

According to a study by GS1 US, 79% of consumers are more willing to purchase products with a QR Code that offers additional information about the product. 
In a 2021 survey it was found that around 45% of consumers in the U.S. scanned QR codes to access various promotional offers. 

Many CPG brands these days use QR codes to share detailed product information, increasing transparency and reinforcing consumers’ trust and loyalty.

In a 2023 survey held by Specright, nearly 80% of respondents stated that they would prefer brands that are more transparent with product sustainability. 71% said they were more likely to trust a brand’s sustainability claim if it was printed on product packaging.

In retail, QR codes are the quickest and most convenient way to gather customer feedback and reviews. Strategic integration of these codes across offline and online retail touchpoints helps brands connect seamlessly with their customers. 

In a 2022 consumer survey, about 61% of respondents from the U.K., U.S., and Australia said that their purchasing decisions are majorly influenced by user-generated content (UGC), such as customer reviews and ratings. 

Logistics

QR codes play a vital role in the global smart logistics revolution, streamlining a wide range of supply chain operations. QR codes simplify key logistics processes, including inventory tracking and management, shipment tracking, and asset management, thus improving their efficiency and accuracy. 

Using QR codes in inventory management helps logistics businesses boost operational efficiency by up to 30%.   
As per a 2024 research report, using QR codes can enhance the efficiency of warehouse operations by up to 25%.

Packaging 

An ideal tool for smart packaging, QR codes on product packaging serve as a digital gateway to product information. Top brands like Amazon, PepsiCo, Starbucks, L’Oréal, Coca-Cola, and Nestlé integrate QR Codes into product packaging to increase sales, boost ROI, and build consumer trust. 

According to a study, nearly 57% of consumers worldwide have scanned QR codes on food packaging to access additional product information. Meanwhile, 34% of customers have scanned the codes to access brand information or participate in contests.
As of 2022, around 92% of CPG brands printed QR codes on product packaging, while 20% of these brands used the codes to share information about product sustainability with consumers.

Smart packaging involves using codes and sensors to add digital capabilities to packaging. It has various applications, like tracking product location and sharing in-depth product information. 

The global smart packaging market was worth USD 36.04 billion in 2022. The market size is projected to be worth USD 68.99 billion by 2032, growing at a 6.8% CAGR.

Miscellaneous

QR codes play an instrumental role in making AR experiences available to users. The global AR and VR market is projected to grow from USD 22.12 billion in 2024 to USD 96.32 billion by 2029, exhibiting a robust CAGR of 34.2% during the forecast period. 
QR codes allow professionals to bring users to their digital business cards. The global digital business card market size is worth USD 181.46 billion in 2024 and is likely to reach USD 389.3 billion by 2032, growing at a 10.01% CAGR.

Recommended: Digital Business Card Statistics in 2023: Usage, Applications, Adoption, and Top Players

Pandemic and QR codes

Though QR codes have been around for almost three decades, their popularity has grown multifold after the pandemic. COVID-19 encouraged people to embrace a contactless world, giving rise to QR codes. Since the pandemic’s onset, the applications of QR codes have increased dramatically across all industries. 

Restaurants and retailers were among the first to utilize these codes to facilitate online mobile payments, provide quick access to digital menu cards, and much more.

Let’s look at some statistics that showcase the impact of COVID-19 on QR code adoption.

18.8% of consumers in the U.S. and the U.K. believe they’ve noticed a rise in the use of QR codes after the pandemic. 
Gartner predicted in a 2020 study that around 80% of payments and checkout services would be contactless by 2024.
In 2023, QR code scans increased to 26.95 million, which is a remarkable 433% surge over the last two years. 
Over 68% of consumers globally have used QR codes to access COVID-related information.
According to a research report by McKinsey & Company, there has been an 80/20 increase in digital payments during COVID-19.

How are top brands leveraging QR codes today?

Nike: American sportswear brand Nike has incorporated QR codes into its product marketing strategy to offer customers a mobile shopping experience like never before.

The QR codes link to detailed product information, exclusive deals and offers, and even customer reviews. With this move, the brand looks to enhance in-store experiences for customers, driving sales and boosting brand loyalty

Starbucks: Leading American coffeehouse chain Starbucks has leveraged QR code technology in a bid to elevate customer experience. 

The brand has integrated QR codes into its mobile app to enable customers to make quick purchases, access exclusive offers, and earn rewards. It has also printed QR codes on coffee cups and many promotional materials to increase customer engagement. 

L’Oréal: L’Oréal, a global leader in beauty and personal care, has leveraged  AR technology to level up its QR code marketing campaign.

By incorporating AR into the QR codes, the brand looks to offer its customers a fully immersive, personalized experience. The AR-powered QR codes placed on product packaging, when scanned, redirect customers to virtual try-ons of several L’Oréal cosmetic products. 

Tesco: U.K.-based multinational grocery retailer Tesco has leveraged QR codes to bolster its marketing strategies. Customers can scan the QR codes printed on products to access additional product information, avail of special deals and discounts, and even navigate the store aisles online.

Recommended: Top 10 Free QR Code Generators to Help You Market in 2024

Summary

We compiled these statistics to help you realize the potential of QR codes and how you can use them to enhance your marketing and customer engagement efforts. QR codes are no longer a new trend that brands could use to wow their customers. The cost-effectiveness, versatility, and ease of use of QR codes have made them an essential marketing asset for all organizations. 

Do you want to get started with QR codes? QRCodeChimp has your back. Sign up for free and create QR codes of 40+ types. 

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