Here are some of the more interesting eBay statistics and facts I was able to dig up. As always, I will be adding to and updating these stats as I stumble across more.
With a great deal of the ecommerce buzz lately focused on Amazon, Alibaba and Google (to a lesser extent, but they are trying), it is pretty amazing how under-the-radar a company as big as eBay has gone recently.
It seems like the only time we hear about eBay these days is when something goes wrong like a security issue or an SEO fiasco. Well, while the others make the headlines, eBay is chugging along and selling a bunch of merchandise.
I decided to sit down and see just how big eBay is and what kind of activity they see. I was amazed at the numbers that came up. Clearly, they are still an ecommerce force to be reckoned with.
eBay Facts
- eBay Launch Year: 1995 (eBay is 24 years old)
- eBay Headquarters: San Jose, CA
- eBay Creator: Pierre Omidyar
- eBay CEO: Devin Wenig
- Key eBay Subsidiaries: Kijiji, Stubhub, Half.com, Gumtree
- Former eBay Subsidiary: PayPal
- What is eBay?
eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY) is where the world goes to shop, sell and give. Whether you’re buying new or used, common or luxurious, trendy or rare – if it exists in the world, it’s probably for sale on eBay. Our great value and unique selection helps every person find their version of perfect, no matter what it is. (source)
Key eBay Competitors:
eBay Statistics
How many people use eBay?
Last updated 3/2/21
How many people sell on eBay?
Last updated 3/2/21
Total number of eBay listings:
Last updated 3/2/21
Number of eBay Classifieds users:
Last updated 1/25/17
eBay GMV (annual):
- 2020: $100 billion
- 2019: $90.2 billion
- 2018: $95 billion
- 2017: $88.4 billion
- 2016: $84 billion
- 2015: $82 billion
- 2014: $82.7 billion
- 2013: $83.3 billion
- 2012: $75.3 billion
- 2011: $68.6 billion
- 2010: $61.8 billion
- 2009: $57.2 billion
- 2008: $59.6 billion
- 2007: $59.353 billion
- 2006: $52.474 billion
- 2005: $44.299 billion
- 2004: $34.168 billion
- 2003: $23.779 billion
- 2002: $14.868 billion
- 2001: $9.319 billion
- 2000: $5.422 billion
- 1999: $2.805 billion
- 1998: $745 million
- 1997: $95 million
eBay revenue (annual):
- 2020: $10.271 billion
- 2019: $10.8 billion
- 2018: $10.7 billion
- 2017: $9.567 billion
- 2016: $9 billion
- 2015: $8.592 billion
- 2014: $8.790 billion
- 2013: $16.047 billion
- 2012: $14.072 billion
- 2011: $11.652 billion
- 2010: $9.156 billion
- 2009: $8.727 billion
- 2008: $8.541 billion
- 2007: $7.672 billion
- 2006: $5.969 billion
- 2005: $4.552 billion
- 2004: $3.271 billion
- 2003: $2.165 billion
- 2002: $1.214 billion
- 2001: $748 million
- 2000: $431 million
- 1999: $224 million
- 1998: $86 million
- 1997: $41 million
- 1996: $32 million
eBay GMV (quarterly):
- Q1 2020: $21.3 billion
- Q4 2019: $22 billion
- Q3 2019: $21.7 billion
- Q2 2019: $21.5 billion
- Q1 2019: $21.6 billion
- Q4 2018: $24.6 billion
- Q3 2018: $22.7 billion
- Q2 2018: $22.6 billion
- Q1 2018: $23.6 billion
- Q4 2017: $23 billion
- Q3 2017: $21.7 billion
- Q2 2017: $21.5 billion
- Q1 2017: $20.9 billion
- Q4 2016: $22.34 billion
- Q3 2016: $20.1 billion
- Q2 2016: $20.9 billion
- Q1 2016: $20.5 billion
eBay revenue (quarterly):
- Q4 2020: $2.8 billion
- Q3 2020: $2.6 billion
- Q2 2020: $2.7 billion
- Q1 2020: $2.4 billion
- Q4 2019: $2.8 billion
- Q3 2019: $2.6 billion
- Q2 2019: $2.2 billion
- Q1 2019: $2.6 billion
- Q4 2018: $2.9 billion
- Q3 2018: $2.6 billion
- Q2 2018: $2.6 billion
- Q1 2018: $2.6 billion
- Q4 2017: $2.6 billion
- Q3 2017: $2.6 billion
- Q2 2017: $2.3 billion
- Q1 2017: $2.2 billion
- Q4 2016: $2.4 billion
- Q3 2016: $2.2 billion
- Q2 2016: $2.2 billion
- Q1 2016: $2.1 billion
- Q4 2015: $2.3 billion
- Q3 2015: $2.1 billion
- Q2 2015: $4.4 billion
- Q1 2015: $4.45 billion
- Q3 2014: $4.35 billion
- Q2 2014: $4.4 billion
Ebay.com as it appeared in April 1999. Source: web.archive.org
Total number of global eBay app downloads:
Last updated 6/14/20
Percentage of eBay revenue that comes from outside the U.S.:
Last updated 9/5/17
Amount the eBay for Charity raised for charities in 2019:
Number of items listed to benefit charity on eBay in 2019:
Number of charities enrolled on eBay:
Last updated 2/14/20
Number of eBay sellers using managed payments:
Last updated 12/31/20
This report is available in an annual industry report. Some of the data in industry reports include:
- Users
- Demographics
- Revenue
- Growth
- Etc.- all in one place
I try to go through each and every stat regularly and update as much as possible, but we all know that some stats are easier to track down than others. As always, every stat is linked to its original source and has the source date listed.
To get your copy of the report, click on the button below to purchase it.