A person working in a storage with a box under her arm and looking at a computer

According to data reported in 2024, 23.8% of EU enterprises conducted online sales in 2023, which was 6.6 percentage points (pp) higher than in 2013 (17.2%). 

Among the EU countries, Lithuania had the highest share of enterprises engaging in online sales at 42.1%, ahead of Ireland (39.6%) and Denmark (38.8%). At the other end of the scale, Luxembourg had the lowest share at 12.2%, followed by Romania (14.7%) and Bulgaria (15.1%).

EU enterprises conducting e-sales, % of enterprises, 2023. Bar chart. See link to full dataset below.

Source dataset: isoc_ec_esels

Regarding the size of the enterprises, 46.5% of large businesses (250 people employed or more) in the EU conducted online sales in 2023. This was an increase of 7.3 pp compared with 2013 (39.2%).

For medium-sized enterprises (50 to 249 people employed), 30.5% used online sales, up 5.8 pp compared with 2013 (24.8%). 
That share was lower for small enterprises (10 to 49 people employed), as 21.9% engaged in online sales in 2023, growing 6.6 pp compared with 2013 (15.3%). 

EU enterprises conducting e-sales, by size class, % of enterprises, 2013-2023. Bar chart. See link to full dataset below.

Source dataset: isoc_ec_esels

For more information

Methodological notes

  • E-commerce refers to the trading of goods or services over computer networks, such as internet, using methods specifically designed for the purpose of receiving or placing orders. E-commerce sales (e-sales) specifically refer to situations where enterprises receive orders. E-sales can be conducted through websites or apps (web sales) or in an automated manner via EDI (electronic data interchange) type messages; enterprises may offer one or both options to their clients.
  • E-commerce data from the 2024 EU survey on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises refers to the preceding calendar year (2023). The methodological information about the survey provides more information on this. 
  • EU enterprises: at least 10 employees or self-employed persons (referred as people employed in the text) in   NACE Rev. 2 section C to J, L to N and group 95.1.

If you have any queries, please visit our contact us page.