Archive · 9 Dec 2025
India's UPI is world's largest real-time payment system
India's UPI is now the biggest real-time payment system in the world.
It handles almost half of all such transactions globally.
The IMF and ACI Worldwide reports say UPI did 129.3 billion transactions, which is more than any other country.
Brazil, Thailand, China, and South Korea are next but far behind.
The Indian government, RBI, and NPCI are working to make digital payments even more popular, especially for small businesses.
They have set up many digital payment points and QR codes to help people and shops use UPI more easily.
India's UPI is the world's largest real-time payment system by transaction volume, according to the IMF and ACI Worldwide reports.
UPI accounts for 49% of global real-time payment transaction volume with 129.3 billion transactions.
Brazil, Thailand, China, and South Korea follow but with significantly lower transaction volumes.
The Indian government, RBI, and NPCI are promoting digital payments through various initiatives like PIDF and BHIM-UPI schemes.
By October 31, 2025, 5.45 crore digital touchpoints and 56.86 crore QR codes were deployed to 6.5 crore merchants.
- Who
- India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
- What
- World's largest retail real-time payment system by transaction volume
- When
- Report published in June 2025
- Where
- Global
- Why
- UPI accounts for 49% of global real-time payment transaction volume
- Transaction Volume
- 129.3 billion
- Global Share
- 49%
- Report Source
- ACI Worldwide
- Report Title
- Prime Time for Real-Time 2024
- Promotion Initiatives
- Scheme for promotion of low value BHIM-UPI transactions, Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF)
- Digital Touchpoints Installed
- 5.45 crore
- QR Codes Deployed
- 56.86 crore
- Merchants Covered
- 6.5 crore
Sources
With 49% India’s UPI world’s largest real-time payment system: IMF
IMF Report Reveals UPI As World's Largest Retail Fast-Payment System
IMF hails India’s UPI as world’s largest retail real-time payment system, making 49% of global total
UPI tops IMF charts: Industry hails move as ‘global benchmark for real-time payments’
