Cash machines still in demand? See how much the average West Midlander withdrew from ATMs last year

That figure is slightly above the UK average of £1,484 in 2023, which was down from £1,564 in 2022.

People typically made 15 trips to ATMs last year but there are wide variations in use across the country.

Northern Ireland remains the most “cash heavy” part of the UK, Link said.

Banking customers in Northern Ireland withdrew £2,340 typically from ATMs last year an increase from the £2,266 withdrawn per adult there in 2022.

The North East of England and London were the second and third most “cash heavy” locations in 2023, in terms of average withdrawals over the year, Link said.

At the other end of the spectrum, the average customer in the South West of England withdrew £1,064 during 2023.

People across the UK withdrew £81 billion from ATMs in 2023.

In 2022, UK banking customers withdrew £83 billion from cash machines.

As cash use continues to decline, the number of ATMs has fallen, Link said.

By the end of 2023, Link counted 38,480 free-to-use machines, down from 40,869 at the end of 2022. There were also 9,921 charging ATMs in December 2023, down from 10,384 a year earlier.

In an average week in 2023, £1.5 billion was withdrawn from UK cash machines, Link said.

This is significantly down on pre-pandemic numbers. Some £2.2 billion was withdrawn per week in 2019 and Link said it does not expect to see a return to these levels.

Link has, however, seen a trend of people typically withdrawing more cash when they do visit an ATM.

In 2023, legislation was passed as part of the Financial Services and Markets Act, to protect access to cash.

Graham Mott, director of strategy at Link, said: “The good news is that there is now a law to protect access to cash.

“Alongside ATMs, Link will continue recommend new banking hubs and deposit services that will protect cash services across the UK.”

Natalie Ceeney, chair at Cash Access UK, said: “With all the talk of a ‘cashless society’ I think many people will be surprised by how busy cash machines continue to be.

“For millions of people, including those on low and tight budgets, digital payments aren’t always an option. Cash is essential for many.

“Crucially, there is a now a legal obligation on the banks to ensure that people and small businesses will still be able to withdraw and bank cash across the UK.

“This applies to cash machines and also face-to-face services, which is why as bank branches close, we are rolling out banking hubs to ensure that people who need cash can still access it.”

Here are the average values of ATM withdrawals per adult across 2023, according to Link:

• Northern Ireland: £2,340

• London: £1,684

• Scotland: £1,674

• North West: £1,670

• Yorkshire and the Humber: £1,658

• North East: £1,718

• West Midlands: £1,556

• East Midlands: £1,379

• Wales: £1,441

• East of England: £1,242

• South East: £1,145

• South West: £1,064

Here are the total average withdrawals per UK adult from 2019 to 2023:

• 2019: £2,193

• 2020: £1,534

• 2021: £1,462

• 2022: £1,564

• 2023: £1,484