Home > Statistics > Use of information and communications technology by individuals > 2006 > Share of Internet users grew during the year

Published: 11 December 2006

Share of Internet users grew during the year

Around three out of four Finns aged 15 to 74, or approximately three million persons, used the Internet in spring 2006. An inquiry was made about Internet use during the three months preceding the time of the interview. Four out of five persons used a computer, so nearly all computer users also used the Internet.

The share of Internet users approaches one hundred per cent in the age groups of under 40 but then starts to fall steeply. Men use the Internet more frequently than women in the age group of 60 to 74-year-olds. Internet use is still rarer in sparsely populated areas than in densely populated areas.

Internet use during three months, spring 2006, percentage of 15 to 74-year-olds by age group

The proportion of regular Internet users, that is, those who use the Internet weekly, was 71 per cent of 15 to 74-year-olds. Only 6 per cent of over 74-year-olds use the Internet. Internet use continues to become steadily more common at the level of the whole population. Internet use among the aged population is increasing rapidly. In spring 2006 Internet use among 60 to 74-year-olds stood at 36 per cent. The corresponding figure was 27 per cent one year earlier.

Internet is being used at home by 72 per cent of 15 to 74-year-olds. 84 per cent of under 40-year-olds and 62 per cent of over 40-year-olds have Internet access at home. At work the Internet had been used by 39 per cent and at an educational institute by 18 per cent. The use of the Internet at public access points has remained unchanged. The Internet had been used in Internet cafés, association premises, public service points or libraries by one person in six in the population aged 15 to 74.

Source: Survey on ICT usage in households and by individuals 2006. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Mr Timo Sirkiä +358 9 1734 2622, firstname.lastname@stat.fi

Director in charge: Mr Jussi Simpura

Tables

Appendix tables

• Purposes of the use of the Internet in spring 2006, per cent of Internet users (11.12.2006)

Figures

• Online shoppers during the past three months in spring 2001 - 2006, per cent of total age group (11.12.2006)
• Online shopping by product category in spring 2006, per cent of all buyers (11.12.2006)
• Percent of internet users who have used the Internet for obtaining information from public authorities' web sites during the past three months by gender and age group in spring 2006 (11.12.2006)
• Percent of respondents who have a mobile phone in their own personal use by gender and age group in spring 2006 (11.12.2006)
• Percent of respondents who have used a PC during the past three months by gender and age group in spring 2006 (11.12.2006)
• Percent of respondents who have used the Internet during the past three months by gender and age group in spring 2006 (11.12.2006)
• Places of Internet use in spring 2006, per cent of Internet users (11.12.2006)

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Last updated 11.12.2006