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  • Writer's pictureMagdalena Gołębiewska

eCommerce growth in EU

Digital Integration in the EU

The Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) is a composite index that summarises relevant indicators on Europe’s digital performance and tracks the evolution of EU member states in digital competitiveness.


Here are the killer facts:

  • Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands and Denmark, have the most advanced digital economies in the EU followed by the UK, Luxembourg, Ireland and Estonia.

  • In countries such as Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Latvia, Spain, Poland, Hungary and Italy, the majority of businesses (over 55%) have had low investments in digital technologies, often having just a simple website and a few computers.

  • Between 2012 and 2018, the percentage of companies in the EU that sell online increased by 4.2 percentage points and the companies' turnover realised from e-sales increased by 2.8 percentage points.

  • The share of SMEs making e-sales (18.9%) is less than half compared to the share of large enterprises (42.5%).

  • In the EU-28, companies garnered 7% of their total turnover from web sales. 87% of web sales were done via owned website or apps and 13% (equal to 1% of total turnover) from sales via online marketplaces.

  • Companies in Finland, Croatia, Denmark and Czechia have the lowest percentages of web sales via marketplaces (below 20%). Selling online via marketplaces was the most common option in Italy (64%), Cyprus and Poland (both 53% of enterprises with web sales).


More information can be found here and below:


1. Connectivity

The Connectivity dimension measures the deployment of broadband infrastructure and its quality. Access to fast and ultrafast broadband-enabled services is a necessary condition for competitiveness. Read more about Connectivity

2. Human Capital/Digital skills

The Human Capital dimension measures the skills needed to take advantage of the possibilities offered by digital. Read more about Human Capital/Digital skills

3. Use of Internet Services by citizens

The Use of Internet Services dimension accounts for a variety of online activities, such as the consumption of online content (videos, music, games, etc.) video calls as well as online shopping and banking. Read more about Use of Internet Services by citizens

4. Integration of Digital Technology by businesses

The Integration of Digital Technology dimension measures the digitisation of businesses and e-commerce. By adopting digital technologies, businesses can enhance efficiency, reduce costs and better engage customers and business partners. Furthermore, the Internet as a sales outlet offers access to wider markets and potential for growth. Read more about Integration of Digital Technology by businesses

5. Digital Public Services

The Digital Public Services dimension measures the digitisation of public services, focusing on eGovernment and eHealth. Modernisation and digitisation of public services can lead to efficiency gains for the public administration, citizens and businesses alike. Read more about Digital Public Service

6. Research and Development ICT

The Research and Development ICT presents analysis on the trends of ICT Sector and R&D provided by the European Commission as well as external studies conducted at the request of the European Commission.  Read more about Research and Development ICT



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