The Impact of ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ (BNPL) on the Consumption Behaviour of the Younger Generation

Alkahfi (Universitas Bung Hatta, Padang, Indonesia)
Setiawan (Universitas Bung Hatta, Padang, Indonesia)

Economy, Business, Finance, Accounting & Management Journal
Vol. 2 No. 2 (2026): April: Economy, Business, Finance, Accounting & Management

The rapid growth of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services has significantly transformed the consumption patterns of the younger generation by providing easy access to short-term credit and flexible payment options. This study aims to examine the impact of BNPL usage on the consumption behaviour of young consumers. A quantitative research approach was employed using a survey distributed to 250 respondents aged 18–30 years. The collected data were analysed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to evaluate the relationship between BNPL usage and consumption behaviour. The findings indicate that BNPL has a significant positive effect on impulsive purchasing, purchasing frequency, and consumer spending among young users. The study concludes that while BNPL enhances purchasing convenience, it also encourages higher consumption tendencies and may increase financial vulnerability if not managed responsibly