Brussels, 04/12/2008 (Agence Europe) - According to figures published by Eurostat on Tuesday 2 December, 60% of households in the EU had access to the internet during the first quarter of 2008, compared with 54% during the first quarter of 2007, and 48% had a broadband internet connection, compared with 42% in 2007. These data represent only a small part of the results of a survey on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) usage in households and by individuals in the EU27 member states, Norway, Iceland and Croatia. As well as internet use and broadband connections, the survey also covers other indicators such as e-shopping, e-government and advanced communication and content related services.
The survey reveals wide differences in levels of access to the internet from one member state to another: at one end of the spectrum, there was Bulgaria with 25% household internet access, and, at the other, 86% of households in the Netherlands had internet access. More specifically, in 2008, the proportion of households with internet access was three quarters or more in the Netherlands (86%), Sweden (84%), Denmark (82%), Luxembourg (80%) and Germany (75%). The lowest levels were registered in Bulgaria (25%), Romania (30%) and Greece (31%). The proportion of households with a broadband connection in 2008 was also highest in the Netherlands and Denmark (both 74%) and Sweden (71%).
The EU statistical office also reveals that almost one third of those surveyed had used the internet for travel and accommodation services. Around 30% had used internet banking, interacted with public authorities or searched for health-related information. About a quarter had read online news or ordered goods or services. Around 15% had looked for jobs or sent applications by internet. The member states which had the highest proportions of individuals performing these internet activities were the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Luxembourg. (O.L./transl.rt)