Payment Habits at Point of Sale. Different Methods of Calculating Use of Cards and Cash in Norway

We use different empirical methods for estimating the use of cash in Norway. One method gives an estimate of the "maximum" value of cash use at point of sale. A second estimates the minimum use of cash in the society calculated from new information uncovered by a recent reorganisation of the cash distribution system in Norway. In a third approach, answers from a general public survey provide insight into what different payments instruments are used for. The fourth method looks at which purposes the cash stock is held for. The four approaches give broadly the same results: cash use is very low in Norway compared to other Nordic and European countries, and it has been falling for many years. Cash settles about 23 % of transactions at point of sale, representing 14-38 % of the value.