The Gender Gap in Online Shopping in Turkey

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to explore the gender gap in online shopping in the Turkish population. The gender gap in internet use and online shopping is investigated using the results of annual national surveys on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Usage in Households and by Individuals by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat). The study results reveal that females in Turkey tend to be on the wrong side of the digital divide. Even though internet use has increased over the years in the Turkish population, there remains a significant and persistent gap between females and males in internet use and online shopping. It is also found that there are differences between females and males in the purpose of internet use and the type of goods purchased online.