The digital paradox of the silver economy: not all digital consumption is equal

Introduction Population ageing and rapid digital transformation are increasing older adults' participation in e-commerce, yet the relationship between their online consumption patterns and national-level economic conditions remains insufficiently understood. This study examines the associations between different categories of online consumption among individuals aged 55–74 and national-level economic conditions across 24 European Union countries and explores how these associations vary across different temporal specifications. Methods Using panel data for 2013–2024, the study analyses e-commerce sector revenue, net national income per capita (NNI), and gross national income per capita (GNI) using descriptive statistics, multiple regression, fixed-effects regression, and time-lag analysis. Results The results reveal substantial heterogeneity across online consumption categories. Positive associations with national-level economic conditions are observed for travel and accommodation services, periodicals, pharmaceuticals, and electronics, whereas clothing, food products, ICT services, and event tickets exhibit comparatively stronger negative associations. Notable associations are also observed in the one-year lag specification, indicating that the estimated relationships between online consumption patterns among individuals aged 55–74 and national-level economic conditions vary across temporal specifications. Discussion The findings provide empirical evidence consistent with the proposed Digital Paradox of the Silver Economy, suggesting that the economic implications of digital participation depend on the composition of online consumption rather than its overall level. The study advances a conceptual framework for understanding the heterogeneous economic outcomes of digital participation in ageing societies and highlights the importance of distinguishing among different forms of online consumption in research and policy on the silver economy.