Based on spending data when the technology became available, an estimated 91.2% of card payments were contactless last year.
An analysis of the habits of debit and credit card users by Barclays showed that the proportion of face-to-face or in-store purchases using contactless was up from 82.6 per cent last year.
The bank attributes much of the “tap and go” growth to payments via mobile phones and people over 65, the so-called silver consumers, where nearly 83% of eligible cardholders use contactless payments .
This is up from 79% in 2021.
Across all age groups, contactless users made an average of 220 click-and-go transactions, up from about 180 12 months earlier.
Hotels, bars, pubs, clubs, the electronics industry and clothing retailers were the biggest gainers.
The average spend was £15.13.
this Raised the limit It will rise from £45 to £100 in 2021, although consumer groups warn it risks opening the door to bigger losses through fraud.
The technology has also been blamed for reducing the need for cash – which banks blame for the decline in ATM numbers.
Adam Lishman, head of consumer products at Barclays, said: “The adoption of contactless payments took another step forward in the last year.
“The introduction of a higher £100 limit in late 2021 has really raised eyebrows as shoppers flock back to the high street as coronavirus restrictions ease, leading to a surge in transactions.
“British people are also increasingly willing to make high-value contactless payments via mobile phones, with these transactions accounting for an even larger share of total contactless spending.”