Shopping Addiction Statistics 2026: Prevalence, Trends & Key Facts
- DR. Lisa C. Palmer
- 45 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Compulsive buying disorder, also called CBD, shopping addiction, or oniomania, describes repeated shopping urges, buying thoughts, or spending behavior that becomes hard to control and causes real problems.
Shopping addiction is not simply “retail therapy” taken too far. Research describes it as a behavioral addiction-like condition, even though it is not listed as a standalone diagnosis in the DSM-5 or ICD-11.
Understanding the numbers helps show how common compulsive shopping may be, who is most affected, how online buying has changed the risk, and why many people do not receive proper support.
Key Takeaways From The Article:
At a glance, shopping addiction affects millions of adults in the U.S. and appears across different age groups, income levels, and genders. These key statistics show how common compulsive buying may be and why it deserves more clinical attention.
About 5.8% of U.S. adults may meet screening criteria for compulsive buying behavior.
A large meta-analysis estimated compulsive buying prevalence at 4.9% in representative adult samples.
Based on U.S. adult population estimates, around 13.1 million to 15.6 million U.S. adults may be affected.
One U.S. study found compulsive buying rates of 6.0% among women and 5.5% among men.
University student samples show a higher estimated compulsive buying prevalence of 8.3%.
High school data found problem shopping in 3.5% of students ages 14 to 18.
One clinical review reported large debts in 58.3% of compulsive buyers.
U.S. e-commerce made up 16.8% of total retail sales in the first quarter of 2026.
BNPL adoption was linked with a 6.42% increase in online spending in one 2024 study.
CBT has the strongest treatment evidence for compulsive buying, but no single national treatment success rate is available.
Overview / General Shopping Addiction Statistics:
Shopping addiction is a serious behavioral health concern because it can affect mood, money, relationships, and daily life. The data shows that compulsive buying is not rare, but it is still hard to track because studies use different names, tools, and samples.
Compulsive buying disorder is commonly described as excessive shopping thoughts, urges, or buying behavior that causes distress or impairment.
Shopping addiction is also called compulsive buying behavior, buying-shopping disorder, compulsive buying disorder, and oniomania.
DSM-5 does not list compulsive buying disorder as a standalone diagnosis.
ICD-11 also does not list compulsive buying disorder as a standalone disorder.
A U.S. adult population study estimated compulsive buying prevalence at 5.8%.
A meta-analysis of 40 studies across 16 countries found a pooled adult representative prevalence estimate of 4.9%.
The same meta-analysis found 8.3% prevalence in university student samples.
Non-representative adult samples showed a higher pooled prevalence of 12.3%.
Shopping-specific samples showed an even higher pooled prevalence of 16.2%.
Based on current U.S. adult population estimates, around 13.1 million to 15.6 million U.S. adults may be affected.
Shopping Addiction Prevalence Trends Over Time
There is no single national system that tracks shopping addiction every year. Still, the available research shows that stress, online shopping, easy payment options, and social media may have changed the way people shop after 2020.
Before the pandemic, one U.S. adult study estimated compulsive buying prevalence at 5.8%.
A pandemic-era study found that compulsive buying increased during the first six months of COVID-19.
The same study found higher compulsive buying after the CARES Act period.
U.S. e-commerce made up 16.8% of total retail sales in Q1 2026.
Online retail made up 16.4% of total U.S. retail sales in 2025.
Online shopping can increase access through saved cards, shopping apps, fast checkout, and 24/7 buying.
One 2024 study found BNPL adoption was linked with a 6.42% increase in online spending.
A 2026 review found BNPL is often linked with impulse buying and post-purchase regret.
Research connects social media FOMO with higher online impulse buying among Gen Z.
There is not enough data to prove that official shopping addiction diagnosis rates increased every year from 2020 to 2026.
Shopping Addiction By Demographics: Age And Gender
Shopping addiction can affect both women and men, but research often shows higher rates among women in clinical settings. Young adults also appear more at risk, likely because shopping habits, credit access, and social comparison often grow during this stage.
One U.S. population study found compulsive buying prevalence at 6.0% among women.
The same study found compulsive buying prevalence at 5.5% among men.
Clinical samples often show around 80% of people seeking help for compulsive buying are women.
The higher female rate in treatment samples may reflect help-seeking patterns, not only true prevalence.
University student samples show a pooled compulsive buying prevalence of 8.3%.
Shopping addiction often begins in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Older adults can also experience compulsive buying, but they are less studied than younger adults.
Higher income does not remove risk because compulsive buying is often linked with emotion, stress, self-esteem, and impulse control.
Access to credit and buying power may increase the ability to shop compulsively.
Men may be undercounted because their shopping patterns may look different or be less often reported.
Simple Demographic Comparison Table:
Group | Available Statistic | What It Suggests |
U.S. adults | 5.8% | Shopping addiction may affect more than 1 in 20 adults. |
Women | 6.0% | Women show slightly higher rates in one U.S. study. |
Men | 5.5% | Men are also affected and may be missed. |
Clinical samples | Around 80% women | More women appear in treatment-seeking samples. |
University students | 8.3% | Young adults show higher risk than general adult samples. |
High school students | 3.5% | Problem shopping can appear during teen years. |
Shopping Addiction By Region / Online Vs. In-Store
Regional shopping addiction data is limited, especially for U.S. states and local areas. Stronger research is available for global estimates, online buying growth, and the rise of mobile shopping, which may make compulsive buying easier for some people.
Reliable shopping addiction statistics by U.S. urban, suburban, and rural areas are limited.
A meta-analysis found a pooled adult representative compulsive buying prevalence of 4.9%.
Research has reported compulsive buying prevalence around 5.8% in the United States.
Some European studies have reported rates near 7% to 13%, depending on the study and tool used.
A 2024 Poland study reported pathological buying in the 2% to 4% range.
The same Poland study reported compensative buying in the 12% to 19% range.
U.S. e-commerce reached 16.8% of total retail sales in Q1 2026.
U.S. online retail sales reached 16.4% of total retail sales in 2025.
Mobile shopping apps can make buying faster, easier, and more private.
There is no reliable Florida-only shopping addiction prevalence rate currently available.
Co-Occurring Disorders, Financial Impact, And Risks:
Shopping addiction often appears with other mental health concerns and can create serious money problems. The strongest numbers show links with debt, loss of control, mood concerns, anxiety, and wider life stress for affected people and families.
Research links compulsive buying with depression, anxiety, OCD symptoms, eating disorders, and substance use concerns.
One clinical study found high psychiatric comorbidity among people with compulsive buying behavior.
One review found compulsive buying was strongly associated with mood and anxiety disorders.
Research also links compulsive buying with substance use disorders.
Research links compulsive buying with eating disorders.
One clinical review reported large debts in 58.3% of compulsive buyers.
The same review reported inability to meet payments in 41.7% of compulsive buyers.
Another review reported that 85% of compulsive buyers were concerned about debts caused by shopping.
The same review reported that 74% felt out of control while shopping.
There is limited direct data showing that shopping addiction alone causes suicide risk, but risk should be taken seriously when it appears with depression, self-harm history, substance use, or major financial crisis.
Shopping Addiction Treatment And Prevention Statistics:
Treatment research for shopping addiction is still smaller than research for many other mental health conditions. CBT has the strongest support, and many people may also need relapse planning, financial counseling, and care for anxiety, depression, or trauma.
There is no reliable national statistic showing what percentage of people with shopping addiction receive treatment.
There is no single national treatment success rate for shopping addiction.
CBT has the strongest research support among studied treatment options.
A randomized controlled trial found group CBT improved compulsive buying behavior compared with a waiting list.
Another CBT study found reductions in buying episodes and time spent buying.
One CBT outcome study reported a 27.8% risk of poor adherence.
The same study reported a 47.4% relapse rate during treatment.
The same study reported a 46.4% dropout rate.
Financial counseling may help when debt, missed payments, hidden purchases, or credit card stress are part of the problem.
Early intervention may reduce long-term harm because compulsive buying often begins in adolescence or early adulthood.
FAQs:
How Common Is Shopping Addiction In The U.S.?
One U.S. adult study estimated compulsive buying behavior at 5.8%. Based on current adult population estimates, this suggests around 15.6 million U.S. adults may be affected, although this is a calculated estimate and not a direct national count.
Is Shopping Addiction More Common In Women Than Men?
Women often show higher rates in clinical samples, but one U.S. population study found similar rates between women and men. The study reported 6.0% among women and 5.5% among men, showing that men can also struggle with compulsive shopping.
Can Teenagers Develop Shopping Addiction?
Yes. Problem shopping can appear during adolescence. One high school study found problem shopping in 3.5% of students ages 14 to 18. Social media, peer comparison, FOMO, and emotional stress may increase risk for some teens.
Does Shopping Addiction Require Professional Treatment?
Professional treatment may help when shopping causes debt, distress, secrecy, relationship conflict, or loss of control. CBT has the strongest treatment evidence, and some people also benefit from financial counseling and support for related anxiety or depression.
Is Compulsive Buying Disorder Recognized As An Official Diagnosis?
Compulsive buying disorder is not listed as a standalone diagnosis in DSM-5 or ICD-11. However, researchers continue to study it as a serious behavioral addiction-like condition because it can cause emotional, financial, social, and family harm.
