The Rise of the Digital Economy: E-Commerce and Digital Services in Global Structural Transformation (2010–2023)

Abstract

This paper examines the rise of the digital economy with a focus on e-commerce and digital services from 2010 to 2023. Drawing on secondary data from global institutions and industry reports, the study evaluates how technological innovation, consumer adoption, and regulatory frameworks have reshaped economic activity worldwide. The analysis highlights consistent double-digit growth in e-commerce, the expansion of IT-enabled services, and the increasing role of cloud computing, fintech, and digital payments. Findings suggest that the digital economy has become a structural driver of global growth, with emerging economies, such as India, leveraging digital services as key export categories, while advanced economies consolidate their leadership in platforms and innovation. The study concludes that the digital economy is redefining comparative advantage, shaping global supply chains, and positioning digital infrastructure and policy frameworks as decisive factors for competitiveness in the 21st century.