Only 13% of companies in Cyprus had online sales above 1% of their turnover in 2018, figures published by Eurostat on Monday show.
This was below the EU 27 average of 17% and the eight lowest among the member states.
Eurostat said that EU enterprises are increasingly relying on e-commerce sales (online sales) in order to maximise their profits.
Together with increasing use of the internet and improving security standards, it has become easier for enterprises to serve their customers online.
During the current coronavirus pandemic, with high street shops in lockdown and businesses and consumers under social distancing restrictions, e-commerce sales can be expected to grow even further.
17% of EU enterprises reported online sales of at least 1% of their turnover during 2018. This was the same share as in the previous two years, and up from 13% in 2009.
\With 36% of enterprises selling online, up from 31% the previous year, Ireland recorded the highest share among the EU Member States. Denmark came second (34%) and Sweden third (31%).
The increase in enterprises selling online (of at least 1% of their turnover) was strongest in Austria, up by 6 percentage points (pp) from 14% in 2017 to 20% in 2018.
