Eurostat: Bulgaria has lowest percentage of online shopping in EU

Sofia: Bulgaria had the lowest percentage in the European Union of internet users who made online purchases in 2024, EU statistics agency Eurostat said on February 20.

Online shopping in the EU continues to expand, according to the latest annual survey on ICT usage in households and by individuals, Eurostat said.

In 2024, 77 per cent of internet users bought or ordered goods or services for personal use online in the previous 12 months, increasing from 59 per cent in 2014, marking a 17 percentage point (pp) rise.

The highest percentages of internet users who made online purchases in 2024 were in Ireland (96 per cent), the Netherlands (94 per cent) and Denmark (91 per cent). Conversely, Bulgaria had the lowest share at 57 per cent, followed by Italy and Romania, both at 60 per cent.

From 2014 to 2024, significant growth was observed in Romania (+43 pp, from 17 per cent to 60 per cent), Hungary (+37 pp, 42 per cent to 79 per cent), and Lithuania (+36 pp, 36 per cent to 72 per cent), Eurostat said.