On 2 February, Eurostat published the results of a survey on EU-wide e-commerce growth figures for 2021. In 2021, 74% of internet users in the EU shopped online for personal consumption, compared to 73% in 2020. This means a 11 percentage points (pp) increase in online purchases of goods and services in comparison with 2016.
A closer look to national figures reveals that over 90% of internet users in the Netherlands and in Denmark have bought goods or services throughout 2021. On the other end of the chart, less than a half of internet users in Bulgaria and Romania have bought goods and services online. However, Romania recorded one of the highest growth rates in the share of e-consumers over internet users throughout the last five years (+26 pp), a result that was only bettered by Czechia (+27 pp).
By far, the most common goods bought in the previous 3 months before the survey were wearables, with 68% of e-shoppers buying clothing, shoes and accessory. Food deliveries rank second, with 31% of people ordering from restaurants, fast-food chains and catering services, followed by furniture, home accessories or gardening products with 29%
You can find more information on the Eurostat webpage here. Eurostat’s data is based on its annual survey on use of ICT in households and by individuals.