Visa Releases Third Annual Money Travels: 2024 Digital Remittances Adoption Report

Rhea-AI Summary

Visa's third annual 'Money Travels: 2024 Digital Remittances Adoption' report underscores the increasing importance of digital remittances, especially for humanitarian support. Surveying nearly 45,000 remittance senders and receivers across 20 countries, the report highlights the preference for digital apps in money transfers, with 43% facing no issues versus higher issues in physical remittances. Despite a year-over-year decline in global remittances due to economic challenges, the outlook remains positive. The study reveals varying motivations for sending remittances, with significant findings on hidden fees in physical payments and country-specific trends in remittance flow.

Positive

• 43% of digital remittance users reported no issues compared to physical remittances.
• Digital apps are preferred for sending and receiving remittances in most countries surveyed.
• Visa's partnerships with global remitters streamline efficient money movement.
• The report indicates a positive outlook for future remittances despite economic challenges.
• Migrant workers demonstrated resilience by continuing to support families despite high inflation and slow economic growth.
• Significant digital remittance adoption acceleration noted across surveyed countries.

Negative

• Global remittances declined year-over-year due to economic challenges.
• High inflation and slowing economic growth impacted the frequency of remittances sent by migrant workers.
• Physical payments often come with hidden fees despite initial offers of free transfers.
• 76-77% of users experienced issues with physical remittances, higher compared to digital methods.

Global Visa research highlights the crucial role of cross-border money movement in supporting humanitarian efforts, as consumers see the future as digital

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- While remittances are a lifeline for millions of migrant workers and their families, Visa’s annual “Money Travels: 2024 Digital Remittances Adoption” research report found that humanitarian assistance was a predominant driver of remittance usage on the send side, with many noting that it was important to support the lives of people in need, amid worldwide events.

According to the survey of nearly 45,000¹ remittance senders and receivers across twenty countries, the need for fast, easy and secure payments has never been more important to families, communities and economies around the world. And while global remittances declined year-over-year due to various economic challenges, the report shows that senders remain positive about future remittances.

The report also found that digital applications are the preferred ways to move money globally for more than two-thirds of remittance users, with many (43%) experiencing no issues when sending or receiving digital remittances, compared to the 76-77% who experiences issues when sending or receiving physical remittances including cash, checks, and money orders.

“Migrant workers have shown incredible resilience within the past year to support families back home, but high inflation and a slowing economic growth has impacted the frequency that they can send vital funds home,” said Vira Platonova, Chief Revenue Officer, SVP, Global Money Movements at Visa. “One of our visions for Visa Direct is to create new opportunities for financial inclusion and wealth building by helping to simplify cross-border payments and streamline the way money travels. This new research shows incredible acceleration of digital payments, but there is still more the industry can do to bring streamlined remittances within reach for more migrant workers and their families who rely on these lifeline payments.”

The Money Travels: 2024 Digital Remittances Adoption study examines how consumers send money abroad, diving into the rates, methods, and reasons for sending and receiving these lifeline payments. Highlights include:

• Digital remittances continue to be the preferred method amongst surveyed consumers across most countries. In all markets except the UAE and Saudi Arabia, digital apps are preferred over sending digital remittances from a physical location. Similarly, digital apps are also favored for receiving remittances in all markets. In Germany, sending cash was perceived as the least secure, especially when sent by mail or courier.
• Remittances motivation for sending varied across countries: Most surveyed in India (52%), Australia (49%), and Singapore (49%) said the top reason for sending remittances was because supporting the lives of people in crisis was important to them. Meanwhile, in Latin America, respondents sent money due to an unexpected need (Peru 27% and Mexico 36%), or own accounts/investments (Brazil 37%).
• Physical payments equate to hidden fees. Globally, over one-third (36%) of respondents have been offered a free transfer when sending cash, checks, or money orders, only to find out there were hidden fees.
• Send and receive markets vary. Of the countries surveyed, Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States were the largest source of remittances. The top remittance receivers were Brazil, India, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, and Poland.

Visa works in collaboration with global remitters and enablement partners such as Brightwell, Thunes, Remitly, Western Union and Asia United Bank (AUB) to help enable efficient money movement through digitized remittances.

For more information about Visa Direct, please visit: https://corporate.visa.com/en/products/visa-direct/resources/money-travels-report-2024.html.

Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted by Morning Consult during December 2023 – March 24 among a sample of 40,000+ remittance senders and receivers across North & Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific. The interviews were conducted online. Within each country, survey respondents are weighted based on census estimates for age, race/ethnicity, gender, education, and region.

About Visa Inc.

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.

¹ The Money Travels: 2024 Annual Remittances Adoption Report surveyed 43,789 remittance users across North & Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240612945454/en/

Andy Gerlt

press@visa.com

Source: Visa Inc.

FAQ

What is the 2024 Digital Remittances Adoption report by Visa?

It is Visa's third annual report analyzing global trends, challenges, and preferences in digital remittances.

Why are digital remittances preferred according to Visa's 2024 report?

Digital remittances are preferred due to fewer issues compared to physical remittances and the convenience of digital apps.

How did economic challenges impact remittances in 2024?

Economic challenges led to a year-over-year decline in global remittances, affecting the frequency of funds sent.

What are some key motivations for sending remittances in different regions?

Motivations include supporting people in crisis, addressing unexpected needs, and personal investments.

What issues do users face with physical remittances according to Visa's report?

Users face hidden fees and higher instances of issues compared to digital remittances, with 76-77% reporting problems.

How do Visa's partnerships influence digital remittance efficiency?

Visa collaborates with global remitters to streamline and enable efficient digital money movement.