INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES : INTERNET ACCESS AND E-GOVERNMENT EXPANDING.

In the EU28, 79% of households had access to the internet in 2013 and 76% had a broadband internet connection, compared with 55% and 42%, respectively, in 2007. Using the internet has become a regular activity, with 62% of individuals using it every day or almost every day and a further 10% at least once a week. On the other hand, 21% of individuals reported in 2013 that they have never used the internet, compared with 37% in 2007. These are the findings of a survey on the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in households and by individuals in the 28 member states, plus Iceland, Norway and Turkey, published by Eurostat, on 18 December.

In each country, at least half of households had broadband internet connection in 2013. Finland (88%) registered the highest share of broadband connections, followed by Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden (in 2012) and the United Kingdom (all 87%) and Germany (85%).

In most states, the majority of individuals used the internet every day or almost every day, with the highest proportions registered in 2013 in Denmark (84% of individuals), the Netherlands (83%), Luxembourg (82%), Sweden (81%), Finland (80%) and the United Kingdom (78%). Around one third or more of individuals in Romania (42%), Bulgaria (41%), Greece (36%), Italy (34%), Portugal (33%), Cyprus and Poland (both 32%) have never used the internet...