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Consumer & Community Context

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Figure 1. Used Buy Now, Pay Later in past year, by year and gender

Percent

Year BNPL Men Women
2021 10 9 12
2022 12 10 14
2023 14 12 15
2024 15 12 17
2025 16 14 19

Note: Among all adults.

Source: Author's calculations using the 2025 Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking.

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Figure 2. Buy Now, Pay Later use, by largest emergency expense individuals could handle right now using only savings

Percent

Emergency savings BNPL use
Less than $100 31
$100-$499 28
$500-$999 21
$1,000-$1,999 16
$2,000 or more 8

Note: Among all adults.

Source: Author's calculations using the 2025 Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking.

Figure 3. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) payment triggered an overdraft or non-sufficient funds fee, by largest emergency expense individuals could handle right now using only savings

Percent

Emergency savings Incurred overdraft due to BNPL
Less than $100 18
$100-$499 13
$500-$999 6
$1,000-$1,999 6
$2,000 or more 4
Overall 11

Note: Among BNPL users.

Source: Author's calculations using the 2025 Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking.

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Figure 4. Share of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) users who were charged extra for paying late or incurred an overdraft or non-sufficient funds fee, by BNPL purchase type

Percent

Types of purchases made using Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Paid late fee or overdraft
Clothing or accessories 25
Electronics 20
Furniture or appliances 23
Groceries or food delivery 43
Travel expenses 24
Medical or veterinary procedures 34
Other 18
Overall 21

Note: Among BNPL users.

Source: Author's calculations using the 2025 Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking.

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Last Update: August 20, 2026