A recent UNCTAD report highlights that Bangladesh, among other Least Developed Countries (LDCs), has a low proportion of internet users engaging in online purchases, with less than 10% participating last year. Globally, e-commerce has seen significant growth, with an estimated 2.3 billion people shopping online in 2021, up from 250 million in 1999. Countries like the Netherlands, UK, Sweden, Denmark, and China report over 80% of their populations making online purchases. Business e-commerce sales in 43 major economies totaled nearly $27 trillion in 2022, a substantial increase from $17 trillion in 2016, driven largely by growth in China and the United States. Despite this, developing nations, which represent 40% of global GDP, account for only up to 25% of business e-commerce sales, indicating untapped potential. The report underscores the environmental impact of digitalization, urging a shift to a circular digital economy to mitigate these effects while promoting inclusive and sustainable development globally.
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