QR codes have quietly evolved from a niche technology into a global economic force. What was once a simple tool for linking to websites has become the backbone of a USD 15.23 billion market projected to more than double by 2031. However, most businesses are still grappling with the sheer scale of this transformation and are often operating on outdated information. This comprehensive guide cuts through the noise, revealing the most current QR code statistics for 2026 that will reshape your understanding and strategy.
We have analyzed the latest data from leading market intelligence firms, including Mordor Intelligence, Grand View Research, and Bitly, to provide you with the most accurate and actionable insights available. This is not just a list of numbers; it is a strategic analysis of the trends, opportunities, and challenges that define the QR code landscape today.
In this guide, you will learn:
• The true size and explosive growth of the global QR code market.
• Key regional adoption patterns, from Asia-Pacific’s dominance to emerging market growth.
• The unstoppable rise of QR code payments and their economic impact.
• Critical security and compliance considerations, including the growing threat of “quishing.”
• Actionable insights for marketers, retailers, and business leaders.
For those who need the key takeaways, here are the most critical QR code statistics for 2026.
The global QR code market s accelerating at an unprecedented rate. While earlier projections estimated a modest 8.7% CAGR, the latest data from Mordor Intelligence reveals a much more aggressive 16.82% compound annual growth rate, pushing the market from USD 15.23 billion in 2026 to an estimated USD 33.14 billion by 2031. This rapid expansion is fueled by a convergence of factors, including widespread smartphone penetration, the demand for contactless solutions, and powerful regulatory tailwinds.
Growth across the market varies, with specific segments accelerating at a markedly faster pace.
• By Format: Dynamic QR codes have become the industry standard, commanding 64.35% of the market share in 2025 and expanding at an impressive 18.85% CAGR. Their ability to be updated and tracked in real-time makes them indispensable for modern marketing and logistics .
• By Application: While Payments and Transactions represent the largest application with 45.30% of the market, the Marketing and Advertising segment is expanding at a rapid 19.1% CAGR as businesses leverage QR codes for first-party data capture in a post-cookie world.
• By Payment Type: Push payments, where the user initiates the transaction by scanning a code, dominate the payment landscape with 59.40% of the market .
Government mandates are playing a pivotal role in cementing QR codes as an essential business tool.
The EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which went into effect in July 2024, requires products in 30 categories — from textiles to electronics — to feature a scannable identifier linking to sustainability and composition data by 2030. This effectively globalizes QR-centric transparency .
Similarly, the United States now requires all prescription drugs to carry a unit-level identifier (since November 2024) to combat counterfeiting, making QR codes essential for the pharmaceutical supply chain .
The ubiquity of QR codes is staggering. Globally, eight QR codes are generated every minute, and scan rates have surged by 57% across 50 countries between 2021 and 2025. An additional 22% growth is projected by the end of 2026, driven by an ever-expanding user base.
Asia-Pacific remains the undisputed leader, with China boasting a 67.4% monthly usage rate and India’s UPI network exploding to over 709 million active QR codes by late 2025 . In North America, the US is projected to have 99.5 million active QR code scanners in 2025, with a strong focus on payment applications. Europe is experiencing steady, regulation-driven growth, with countries like Germany and France projected to see their markets more than double by 2033.
Consumer interaction with QR codes has become a daily habit for many. Nearly 45% of global internet users aged 16-64 scan a QR code every month, with Millennials (51%) and Gen Z (49%) leading the charge with weekly usage.
The top reasons for scanning include:
• Accessing restaurant menus (48%)
• Getting product information (43%)
• Downloading mobile apps (47%)
Crucially for businesses, 79% of consumers report being more likely to purchase a product if it has a QR code that provides additional information, and 64% have scanned a code on a product while shopping in-store.
Nowhere is the QR code revolution more apparent than in the payments sector. The global QR code payment market, valued at USD 12.54 billion in 2024, is projected to skyrocket to USD 61.73 billion by 2033, growing at a blistering 20.0% CAGR. This growth is democratizing digital payments, allowing even the smallest merchants to accept cashless transactions without expensive hardware.
Asia-Pacific is the engine of this growth, accounting for 29.04% of the global payment market.
• China: A staggering 90% of all mobile payments in the country are conducted via QR codes, with platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay processing USD 3.74 trillion in annual transaction value.
• India: The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has been a game-changer. The network handled 81 trillion transactions between April and July 2024 alone — a 37% year-over-year increase — and is projected to facilitate USD 10 trillion in digital payment value by 2026.
Face-to-face transactions at physical retail locations still dominate the market, accounting for 59.38% of all QR code payment transactions.
QR code adoption has permeated every major industry, but a few sectors stand out for their innovative use cases and high adoption rates.
Accounting for 40% of all global scans, marketing is a dominant force in the QR code ecosystem. The industry saw a 323% increase in QR code usage in 2023 as marketers embraced the technology to bridge the gap between physical and digital campaigns. With an average click-through rate of 37% — far surpassing traditional email benchmarks — QR codes are a proven tool for driving engagement and capturing first-party data .
The pandemic normalized the use of QR codes for digital menus, and the trend has stuck. 78% of diners now favor using QR codes to view menus and place orders, appreciating the convenience and access to detailed information like nutritional and allergen data .
In retail, QR codes are the linchpin of a successful omnichannel strategy. Brands with an integrated online-offline approach retain 89% of their customers, compared to just 33% for their single-channel counterparts. With 64% of shoppers already scanning codes on products in-store, retailers are using them for everything from product authentication to instant checkouts.
The rapid adoption of QR codes has unfortunately been accompanied by a surge in malicious activity. The threat of “quishing”—phishing attacks conducted via QR codes—is a serious concern that businesses must address to maintain consumer trust.
Quishing attacks grew by an alarming 587% year-over-year in 2024 and now account for 20% of all online scams. What makes them particularly insidious is that only 39% of individuals can recognize a tampered code, and senior executives are 42 times more likely to be targeted than other employees .
These statistics underscore the urgent need for robust security measures. 70% of marketers now cite security as the biggest challenge facing the industry, followed closely by evolving privacy regulations (60%) .
To combat these threats, businesses must adopt a multi-layered security approach:
• Secure QR Code Generation: Use platforms that offer features like encrypted tokens and code integrity seals.
• Branded & Verified Codes: Incorporating a logo and using a trusted generator helps users verify the legitimacy of a code.
• Transparent Data Practices: Be clear about what data is being collected and obtain user consent, in line with regulations like GDPR and CCPA.
Over 90% of marketers now use QR codes in their campaigns, with 93% reporting an increase in usage over the past year . They are moving beyond simple link-sharing and leveraging the technology for sophisticated tracking and engagement.
The most valuable performance metrics for marketers are:
• Unique Users (54%)
• Conversion Rate Post-Scan (52%)
• Total Scans (50%)
Despite the clear value, 87% of marketers admit they struggle with tracking the post-scan customer journey, highlighting the need for advanced analytics platforms .
49% of marketers believe that adding a business logo to their QR code is the most valuable aspect of customization. A well-designed, branded QR code not only improves brand recognition but also increases scan rates by signaling trust and legitimacy.
The QR code is not a static technology. Continuous innovation is unlocking new capabilities and ensuring its relevance for years to come.
1. AI & Personalization Integration: The fusion of AI with QR codes is enabling context-aware landing pages. A single QR code can now deliver personalized content based on the user’s location, scan history, and demographic profile, pushing average click-through rates even higher.
2. First-Party Data Capture: As third-party cookies are phased out, QR codes are becoming a critical tool for permission-based, first-party data collection, giving businesses a direct line to their customers.
3. Dynamic QR Code Dominance: The market share of dynamic QR codes is projected to exceed 70% by 2026 as their analytics and real-time update capabilities become indispensable for business agility .
4. Regulatory & Compliance Evolution: Expect to see more regulations like the EU’s Digital Product Passport, which will further embed QR codes into global supply chains and product manufacturing.
Q: What is a QR code and how does it work?
A QR (Quick Response) code is a two-dimensional barcode that stores information in a matrix of black and white squares. When scanned with a smartphone camera, it can quickly link a user to a website, display text, or initiate an action.
Q: How many people scan QR codes globally?
An estimated 2.9 billion people are expected to use QR codes by 2025, with over 90 million smartphone users scanning them monthly .
Q: What are the main differences between static and dynamic QR codes?
A static QR code has a fixed destination URL that cannot be changed after creation. A dynamic QR code uses a short redirect URL, allowing the destination to be updated at any time without reprinting the code. Dynamic codes also provide scan tracking and analytics.
Q: Can I track QR code scans?
Yes, but only with dynamic QR codes. They allow you to track metrics like the number of scans, location, time of day, and device type.
Q: How long do QR codes last?
QR codes themselves do not expire and can be scanned indefinitely. However, the link or content they point to can become inactive.
The data is clear: QR codes are no longer a marketing gimmick but an essential component of modern business strategy. With a market growing at over 16% annually and a user base spanning billions, ignoring this technology means leaving significant opportunities on the table. From revolutionizing payments in emerging markets to enabling sophisticated, data-driven marketing campaigns in mature economies, the QR code has proven its versatility and staying power.
As you look to harness the power of this technology, it is crucial to partner with a platform that understands the complexities of enterprise-grade deployment, security, and analytics. Supercode provides the most advanced QR code platform for businesses that need to operate at scale. Sign up today.
