Last year, 97% of the Swiss population used the Internet, the annual study by the Geneva-based UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) revealed on Wednesday. The Alpine nation received one of the highest scores (97 out of 100) for reliability of postal services. This is a key element of online shopping, which in 2018 was worth an estimated $4.4 trillion (CHF3.95 trillion) globally – up 7% from the previous year.
Eight of the top ten countries were in Europe (Singapore and Hong Kong were the other two), making it the leading continent for e-commerce. More than 70% of the adult population in Canada, the United States and 10 European states shop online. But in most low-income countries, that proportion is well below 10%.
“The e-commerce divide remains huge,” said Shamika N. Sirimanne, who heads the Geneva-based division responsible for preparing the index. With the Covid-19 pandemic, it was more urgent for countries trailing behind to strengthen their e-trade readiness, she added, so that their populations can benefit from the digital economy. Globally the pandemic has given a boost to online shopping.
To establish the ranking, UNCTAD assessed countries on access to secure internet servers, reliability of postal services, and people’s access to the Internet and to a bank account or mobile financial services.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss oddities
Mennonite movement turns 500 in Zurich, where it all began
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Man charged with flying drone at women’s Euro 2025
This content was published on
A man flew a drone around the venue on Wednesday evening during the first match of the Women's EURO 2025 in St. Gallen. The 30-year-old violated the absolute ban on flying during match days. He was reported to the police.
More than 250 Swiss companies sign CO2 reduction initiative
This content was published on
A total of 257 companies from Switzerland have signed up to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). In doing so, they are committing to CO2 reduction targets that are compatible with the Paris Climate Agreement.
Swiss accident prevention group sees federal targets at risk
This content was published on
The Swiss government's target for accident figures is at risk, reckons Mario Cavegn, member of the executive board of the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention.
Feminicide: Swiss justice minister calls for electronic monitoring
This content was published on
Swiss Justice Minister Beat Jans has called for electronic monitoring and an ankle bracelet warning system for perpetrators of violence against women.
This content was published on
American artist Chaka Khan ‘and friends’ opened the 59th Montreux Jazz Festival on Friday. For over three hours, their show, dedicated to their friend and mentor Quincy Jones, thrilled the audience,
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Online shopping breaches CHF10 billion mark
This content was published on
Electronics and fashion goods dominated orders. Food accounted for just 2.8% of the total goods consumed (up from 1.8% in 2018), but the report’s authors expect orders to increase this year with people reluctant to go to supermarkets in view of the coronavirus outbreak. Online shoppers predominantly favoured Swiss products, spending CHF8.3 billion in domestic…
This content was published on
Only 3% of adult internet users buy nothing online, with the elderly most likely to stick to bricks-and-mortar shops, according to a survey.
This content was published on
Online shopping accounts for ever more of the Swiss retail market as shopping via smartphone also becomes more popular with consumers.
Does Switzerland really have the best public services in the world?
This content was published on
Swiss Transport Minister Doris Leuthard claims that no other country in the world has public services as good as the ones in Switzerland.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.