A shocking 20 per cent of young Australians admit stealing money from their partner - and it's down to the decline of shoppers paying with cash Shocking 20 per cent of young couples admit to stealing cash from their partner However, just 8 per cent of those aged between 40 and 50 admit to the deed Researchers say this could come down to the increasingly cashless economy Less people are carrying cash, therefore having to dip into their partner's walletsBy Lauren Ferri For Daily Mail Australia Published: 14:17 GMT, 3 March 2019 | Updated: 14:17 GMT, 3 March 2019 Viewcomments A shocking 20 per cent of young couples are stealing money from their partner's wallets without permission - and experts claim the cashless economy is to blame. The amount of Australians under 30 who have admitted to pinching money from their partner has shocked experts, with 18 per cent of people under 40 also admitting to the act. However, just 8 per cent of those in Generation X say they take money from their partner without them knowing, with the rate slowing as couples get older. A shocking 20 per cent of young couples are stealing money from their partner's wallets without permission - and it's because of the cashless economy (stock image) Research has also revealed the percentages are higher when it comes to Australian couples taking money out of their partner's coin jar. The overall percentage of all couples above 18 years old sneaking money from their partner's wallet is just 10 per cent, news.com.au reported. Canstar group executive of financial services Steve Mickenbecker said the figures were surprising, but says they also show some positives. 'It says basically, more or less, 90 per cent of people are respecting their partner's property and keeping their hands off it,' Mr Mickenbecker said. 'The fact that it drops off later on is really quite interesting, when you get to people over the age of 40 it becomes quite rare.' He suggests it could be due to couples over the age of 40 having more respect for one another, or their changing spending habits. Mr Mickenbecker said young Australians are often caught without cash due to the cashless economy becoming more popular. The amount of Australians under 30 admitting to pinching money from their partner has shocked experts, with 18 per cent of people under 40 also admitting to the act (stock image) Data found nearly half of the population are expecting the economy to become completely cashless within just five years. However, more than one in three Australians under 40 years old think this will happen in just two years. Mr Mickenbecker said most 18 to 29-year-olds don't ever carry cash anymore. He thinks young Australians often dip into their partner's wallets when completing quick errands, such as going and getting milk or a coffee. 'You do still occasionally get a shock when you're in a cafe or similar and they don't take the credit card,' Mr Mickenbecker said. Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility