Consumer spending in Kuwait rises 5% to 27.9b dinars in first half of 2026
Digital payments fuel 5 percent growth in consumer spending; instant payments jump 52 percent
Consumer spending by citizens and residents in Kuwait continued its upward trajectory during the first half of 2026, reaching 27.922 billion dinars, a 5 percent increase over the same period last year, reflecting resilient domestic demand and the rapid adoption of digital payment services.
According to data released by the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK), total spending reached 27.922 billion dinars through 809.57 million transactions during the first six months of the year, compared with 26.592 billion dinars in the corresponding period of 2025.
The first quarter accounted for 14.034 billion dinars in spending through 392.3 million transactions, while the second quarter recorded 13.888 billion dinars across 417.26 million transactions, highlighting sustained consumer activity throughout the period.
Electronic payment channels continued to dominate transactions. Purchases made through point-of-sale (POS) terminals inside and outside Kuwait totaled 9.462 billion dinars from more than 505 million transactions, underscoring the growing preference for cashless payments.
Meanwhile, online purchases reached 8.533 billion dinars through nearly 187 million transactions, reflecting the continued expansion of e-commerce and digital retail services.
Cash withdrawals through ATMs amounted to 4.369 billion dinars across 31.98 million transactions, indicating that while cash remains in use, electronic payment methods continue to gain ground.
The standout performer was the Central Bank’s instant payment service “Wamd,” which recorded exceptional growth. Transactions through the platform surged 52.3 percent year-on-year to 5.557 billion dinars, up from 3.649 billion dinars in the first half of 2025.
The number of Wamd transactions also climbed sharply to 85.56 million, compared with 47.91 million a year earlier, demonstrating the accelerating shift toward real-time digital payments.
During the first quarter, Wamd processed 2.646 billion dinars through 40.38 million transactions, while the second quarter saw transactions rise to 2.91 billion dinars across 45.18 million transactions.
The latest figures point to continued strength in consumer spending and reinforce Kuwait’s transition toward a more digitally driven economy, with instant payments, e-commerce and electronic transactions playing an increasingly central role in everyday financial activity.
