Ranking of cashless usage rates among high school students and their parents

How often do you use cashless payments in your household?
As the shift from cash to digital continues, there has been a major change in the usage trends of cashless and QR code payments among high school students and their parents. In particular, attention is being paid to new ways of exchanging money between parents and children and the use of advantageous points, such as "family remittances," "Rakuten Points," and the "PayPay economic zone."
Why not reconsider how you can use cashless payments if you are raising children?

Survey outline

Survey period (high school students): June 2025th to June 7th, 18
Survey period (parent generation): June 2025th to June 7th, 18
Survey target: High school students aged 15-18 who own a smartphone with a telecommunications contract, and parents aged 30-69 with high school students
Number of valid responses: 1,114 high school students (preliminary survey) / 300 (main survey), 1,681 parents
Survey method: Online survey
Implementing Institution:MMD Institute

Payment method usage ranking among high school students

From an MMD Research Institute research article
  1. cash … 92.1%
  2. QRCode payment … 50.8%
  3. Card-type contactless electronic money … 17.8%
  4. Smartphone-based contactless electronic money … 10.2%
  5. Debit Card … 4.4%

While cash still boasts an overwhelming usage rate, QR code payments already account for more than half of all payments. Usage is particularly increasing in urban areas and among people with part-time work experience, and it is also accelerating in rural areas. The establishment of digital payments among young people will be the key to future market expansion.

Parent generation payment method usage ranking

From an MMD Research Institute research article
  1. cash … 78.0%
  2. Credit card (signature and PIN) … 68.2%
  3. QRCode payment … 61.0%
  4. Credit card branded contactless payment … 36.8%
  5. Card-type contactless electronic money … 23.4%

Their cash usage rate is lower than that of high school students, and it is common for them to use both credit cards and QR code payments. There is a growing tendency to place importance on high return campaigns and point rewards, and the diversification of payment methods is also leading to more efficient household management.

High school students' experience with QR code payments and family remittances

  • Have you ever sent money using QR code payment? 34.7%
  • One of these daysExperience with family remittances … 74.7%

Approximately one in three high school students have experience sending money, with the majority of these transactions occurring between family members. With pocket money and advance payments now all done via smartphone, cash transactions are decreasing. It is noteworthy that this is also contributing to improving everyday financial literacy.

Percentage of parents who have used QR code payments and inter-family remittances

  • Have you ever sent money using QR code payment? 51.0%
  • One of these daysExperience with family remittances … 82.5%
From an MMD Research Institute research article

More than half of the parent generation responded that they have sent money, with remittances between family members being the most common. The speed and low fees of remittances are encouraging their use, and an environment is being created that allows for flexible handling of sudden payments.

Ranking of economic zones that parents' generation is aware of

From an MMD Research Institute research article
  1. Rakuten economic zone: 36.8%
  2. PayPay economic zone: 23.5%
  3. docomo economic zone: 19.1%
  4. au economic zone: 7.3%
  5. V Point economic zone: 6.8%

The Rakuten economy is at the top, followed by PayPay and docomo. The integration of everyday services with point rewards is a major reason for choosing Rakuten, and the competition for rewards is expected to continue in the future.

Trend Analysis

This survey shows that cashless payments are rapidly increasing among both high school students and their parents. While cash usage remains high, the proportion is gradually decreasing due to the spread of QR code payments and touch payments. Remittances between family members have become commonplace, which is also helping to raise financial literacy.
For the parent generation, utilizing points and choosing an economic zone have become part of household strategies, and competition centered around Rakuten has intensified. Overall, the diversification of payment methods and the acceleration of digitalization are dramatically changing the way households conduct their economic activities.

  • Cashless payment usage rate for high school students is 62.1%, while that for parents is 91.0%
  • Expanding trend of QR code payment and touch payment
  • Family remittances are becoming increasingly digital
  • Rakuten, PayPay, and d Points are the three most popular
  • Rakuten is the top choice for the parent generation

Cashless payments and point utilization are not only convenient, but also directly linked to household budget management and financial education. Using the rankings and analysis as a reference, reconsidering your home payment style and economic zone selection will lead to smarter money management.

The following is the basis for this articleMMD Institute OfResearch Articles.

Survey on cashless payments among high school students and parents of high school students

MMD Research Institute conducted a "Survey on the Actual State of Cashless Payments among High School Students and Parents of High School-Aged Children" among high school students and parents with high school-aged children.