The popularity of buy now, pay later (BNPL) in the UK shows no signs of slowing down and it continues to attract new users, as 1 in 8 Brits (13%) used BNPL services for the first time in 2024 - an estimated 6.8 million people - according to research from personal finance site Finder. 

Overall, 2 in 5 Brits (42%) admitted to having used BNPL services at some point, an estimated 22.6 million people. When those who hadn’t used it were asked about their future plans, only 14% completely ruled out ever using BNPL services, suggesting the service may attract more users once regulations are in place. 

BNPL usage is high among the younger generations

BNPL usage is particularly common among the younger generations, as 63% of millennials (aged 28-43) and 56% of generation Z (aged 18-27) have used it. Within the past year, 1 in 5 millennials (20%) and 1 in 6 members of generation Z (16%) began using BNPL for the first time