Brazil's consumers drive credit‑card growth and 50+ market surge

Credit‑card usage in Brazil accelerated in the first quarter of 2026, with transactions reaching R$ 810.2 billion—a 12.8% increase from the same period a year earlier. A Datafolha and Abecs survey found that 85% of Brazilian cardholders pay their balances in full each month, treating the card as a financial‑management tool rather than a source of debt.

People aged 50 and older account for R$ 1.8 trillion of annual consumer spending, roughly 25% of total national consumption. The demographic, now 62 million strong, is expected to boost its spending to R$ 3.8 trillion over the next twenty years, especially in health, personal care, housing, mobility and adult education, as seniors remain active and financially responsible.