McKinnsey Global Institute has published “Internet matters: The Net’s sweeping impact on growth, jobs, and prosperity.”
Among the report’s estimates: Internet activity represents 3.8% of total GDP in a sample of 13 countries that together represent 70% of world economic output; Internet activity accounted for 11% of GDP growth in these countries over the past five years; 75% of the internet’s impact is in “traditional” businesses; 10% increase in output from small and medium sized businesses can be attributed to internet usage; The internet led to €20 billion per internet user per month in consumer surplus.
The report notes that the internet is still in its infancy, so considerably more growth is possible. It recommends that “All stakeholders should take part in a fact-based, public-private dialogue to assure optimal conditions for the development of the Internet ecosystem within each country, as well as internationally,” and should address “Issues such as standards for digital identities and intellectual property protection.”
Full Report – Internet matters: The Net’s sweeping impact on growth, jobs, and prosperity
See also: McKinsey press release
