Cross-Border Transactions Account for Only a Small Share of E-Commerce Sales, Leaving Significant Room for Digital Trade Growth

[Ebrun Original] On September 24, at the 'Silk Road E-Commerce Day' launch ceremony and 'Silk Road E-Commerce' resource matchmaking event during the Fifth Global Digital Trade Expo, Daniel Ker, Head of the E-Commerce and Digital Economy Measurement Section at the United Nations Trade and Development Organization (UNCTAD), delivered a speech on the statistical definitions, market scale, and development gaps in e-commerce and digital trade. Ker stated that a clear definition is the starting point for measuring e-commerce and digital trade. The defining feature of e-commerce is that orders are placed electronically. However, not all e-commerce involves cross-border transactions, and digital ordering cannot be simply equated with digital delivery. Only by establishing a clear, consistent, and comparable statistical framework can we accurately understand the actual participation of different economies and enterprises in digital trade.

He noted that the UNCTAD's 2025 database compiles data from 50 economies. Among these, data covering 45 developed and developing economies represent about three-quarters of global GDP, showing that business e-commerce sales exceeded $28 trillion in 2024. Meanwhile, cross-border transactions still account for a small portion of total e-commerce sales, and there are significant gaps between countries in digitally ordered trade and digitally delivered services. Therefore, digital trade still has substantial room for growth.

This article is compiled from the guest's on-site speech notes and has been edited and abridged without altering the original meaning.

Below is the transcribed speech:

Today, I want to share the latest developments in e-commerce from a data and statistical perspective.

01

A Clear Definition Is the Starting Point for Measuring E-Commerce and Digital Trade

For e-commerce and digital trade, we first need to clarify the relevant definitions. E-commerce has distinct digital characteristics; its defining criterion is not electronic payment but the placement of orders through electronic means. Digital trade involves cross-border and international transactions, encompassing both goods and services ordered digitally and services delivered remotely via online channels, such as streaming services and online courses.

It is important to note that not all e-commerce falls under cross-border transactions. Statistics show that most e-commerce is completed within domestic markets. Digital ordering and digital delivery overlap, but they are not identical. Some services can be delivered online but may not be ordered digitally; goods can be ordered online but cannot be delivered digitally. Clarifying these boundaries is fundamental to accurately measuring e-commerce and digital trade.

Definitions are just the starting point. Turning concepts into operational statistics requires the collaboration of national statistical agencies and international organizations. UNCTAD continuously improves its research and statistical methods through expert discussions, collaboration with national statistical agencies, and partnerships with the International Monetary Fund, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Trade Organization, and other UN entities. A solid data foundation also supports regional discussions and bilateral statistical cooperation.

02

Global E-Commerce Sales Exceed $28 Trillion, But Market Distribution Remains Uneven

These efforts have made progress. In 2025, we released an e-commerce database covering 50 economies. Among these, data from 45 developed and developing economies represent about three-quarters of global GDP. The data show that business e-commerce sales in these economies exceeded $28 trillion in 2024.

In terms of market distribution, the United States, China, and Europe account for a significant share, with most global e-commerce sales concentrated in enterprises located in these markets. Since the launch of 'Silk Road E-Commerce' in 2016, business e-commerce sales have doubled, growing faster than GDP over the same period. E-commerce has become an important sales channel, accounting for about one-third of total business sales in some European countries.

At the same time, significant disparities persist across economies, industries, and enterprise sizes. In some economies, e-commerce sales account for about 10% of total business sales. This is still a notable share, but these differences also indicate that many economies have substantial growth potential. Additionally, we need more, higher-quality, and more comparable e-commerce data to inform policy-making and international cooperation.

03

Cross-Border E-Commerce and Digitally Delivered Services Still Have Significant Growth Potential

Existing data show that cross-border transactions account for only a small portion of total e-commerce sales. This implies that cross-border trade ordered digitally still has considerable room for growth. Unlocking this potential requires improving conditions for enterprises to participate in cross-border digital trade and gaining a more accurate understanding of market developments across regions.

Digital delivery of services is another important aspect of how digitalization affects international trade. A large portion of global services trade can potentially be delivered digitally, but gaps between countries are stark. In 2024, data show that in least developed countries, digitally deliverable services accounted for only 15% of exports. These countries especially need capacity-building and policy support to benefit more fully from digital trade.

04

Supporting 'Silk Road E-Commerce' Partners Through Statistical Cooperation to Share Digital Trade Opportunities

Helping more countries benefit from digital trade is also a key goal of 'Silk Road E-Commerce.' In addition to market, platform, and technological cooperation, statistical capacity-building can be an integral part of collaboration. More complete, accurate, and comparable data can help all parties identify gaps, formulate policies, and assess the actual outcomes of cooperation.

Looking ahead, 'Silk Road E-Commerce' partners can deepen cooperation on e-commerce and digital trade statistics, providing stronger data support for participating countries. The UNCTAD E-Commerce and Digital Economy Measurement Team is also ready to engage in these efforts, working with all parties to strengthen the data foundation and help more economies seize the opportunities of digital trade.

This article was first published on the official website of Ebrun.