Original version

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

The Inquiry

Documentaries

Factual

News

Getting beyond the headlines to explore the forces and ideas shaping the world

The Inquiry gets beyond the headlines to explore the trends, forces and ideas shaping the world.

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service

BBC World Service East Asia

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

The Inquiry: Who Wins in a Cashless Economy?

Who Wins in a Cashless Economy?

20/09/2016 GMT

BBC World Service - The Inquiry, Who Wins in a Cashless Economy?

The trend away from cash is gathering momentum across the world

Are we wise to get rid of our notes and coins? Linda Yueh reports.

The death of cash has been predicted many times over the years. But in the last decade a future without coins and notes has become a real possibility thanks to the global development and adoption of cashless systems. Some banks in Scandinavia are already refusing to accept or hand out cash. And, in nations with poor banking infrastructure, the growth of cashless has been explosive. Millions of people around the world now conduct their lives with hardly any cash at all and in terms of convenience, most of us are winners. But warnings are sounding about the driving forces behind this shift. Are we in danger of getting rid of our cash without really understanding the consequences? Presented by Linda Yueh.

(Photo: View of a smartphone displaying the 'Contactless' application. Credit: Getty Images)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Inquiry

Who Wins in a Cashless Economy?

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

About BBC World Service