Forecast for 2024: Will QR Codes Remain Relevant?

Research and surveys on QR codes indicate that this digital innovation will remain in demand in 2023. After the sharp rise in popularity in 2020 during the pandemic, QR codes will continue to be actively used in global areas such as healthcare, education, business, and marketing. This article presents expert opinions, data from professional generators, and the latest statistics supporting this forecast, making it a profitable decision to create an electronic business card with a QR code.

QR Codes Here to Stay: Expert Opinions

The 2020 pandemic brought QR codes back into the spotlight and led to their widespread use. However, experts note that other factors also contributed to the success of QR codes. QR code expert Benjamin Claeys highlighted the significant potential of these two-dimensional barcodes, which has driven their recent growth. "Industries now see the versatility of QR codes and their usefulness in various fields," Claeys said.

Claeys mentioned examples of QR code usage in restaurants for interactive menus, in marketing to lead target audiences to online campaigns, and in business for payment systems. He also noted how QR codes helped healthcare in contact tracing during the pandemic. People can simply scan QR codes to access digital content encoded in the code.

This digital tool makes information dissemination and reception more convenient for users. According to Insider Intelligence (eMarketer), the number of QR code scans will reach 99.5 million by 2025, a 19% increase from 2022. The growth in smartphone users and improved internet access also contribute to the popularity of QR codes.

In October 2022, Data Reports reported that the number of internet users had grown to 5.07 billion, and the number of unique mobile phone users reached 5.48 billion—more than two-thirds of the world's population. These factors directly influence the ability of users worldwide to scan QR codes. According to Claeys, QR code usage increased by 443% in 2022. The link management platform Bitly also recorded a 750% increase in QR code downloads in 2021.

Popularity of QR Codes: Global Statistics

Yes, QR codes remain popular, and their usage is unlikely to decrease. At the time of writing, according to Ahrefs, the global search volume for the keyword "QR code" reached 2.5 million. This indicates significant interest in the 2D barcode technology. According to Ahrefs, the highest search volume for QR codes comes from the following countries:

USA — 281,000 (11%) Brazil — 274,000 (10%) France — 177,000 (6%) Taiwan — 159,000 (6%) India — 152,000 (6%)

QR Code Usage in the USA

Statista reports that by 2024, 89.5 million Americans will scan QR codes with smartphones, and this number will reach 99.5 million by 2025. The growing integration of contactless payments, digital menus, and online commerce in the USA contributes to the popularity of QR codes. Restaurants, bars, retail stores, and hotels actively use this technology, enhancing customer interactions and increasing table turnover.

QR Code Usage in Europe

European banks and healthcare institutions actively use QR codes. The European Central Bank (ECB) plans to launch a digital euro application based on QR codes, simplifying online and contactless payments. The European Union has also proposed extending COVID certificates until 2023, making them mandatory for travelers.

Growth of QR Code Usage in Asia

Countries in East and Southeast Asia actively use QR codes. In Japan, where QR codes were invented, their market value will grow to 6 trillion yen by 2023. In China, mobile payment applications Alipay and WeChat widely use QR codes, contributing to the growth of transaction volume. Five Southeast Asian countries—Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand—intend to link their QR code-based payment systems, simplifying purchases for travelers.