CBK data shows Kuwait consumer spending slips to 45.96bn dinars in 2025

Consumer spending by citizens and residents in Kuwait reached 45.96 billion dinars in 2025, according to official data released by the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK), reflecting a 3.8% decline compared with 47.81 billion dinars recorded in 2024.

The drop represents a reduction of approximately 1.85 billion dinars year-on-year, indicating a moderation in overall consumption levels despite continued activity across payment channels, reports Al-Anba daily.

The data showed that point-of-sale (POS) transactions, both inside and outside Kuwait, rose to 19.37 billion dinars by the end of 2025, up from 18.92 billion dinars in 2024. This marks an annual increase of 447 million dinars, or 2.36%, suggesting steady growth in card-based retail payments.

In contrast, cash withdrawals through ATMs declined significantly. The value of ATM transactions fell to approximately 9 billion dinars in 2025, compared with 10.08 billion dinars the previous year — a decrease of nearly 989 million dinars, or 9.8%.

Spending through websites and online platforms also recorded a decline, totaling 17.49 billion dinars by the end of 2025, down from 18.8 billion dinars in 2024. This represents a reduction of about 1.31 billion dinars.

While total consumer expenditure saw a slight contraction, the figures point to a continued shift away from cash transactions toward electronic payment channels, even as online spending moderated during the year.