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International comparison:
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For more information on this release:
E-mail: income&modules@cso.ie Felix Coleman (+353) 21 453 5129 Anne McGrath (+353) 21 453 5487
For general information on CSO statistics:
information@cso.ie (+353) 21 453 5000 On-line ISSN 2009-5791
CSO statistical release, , 11am

Information Society Statistics - Households

2014

Households with access to the internet
  % of households
2008200920102011201220132014
63677278818282

82% of households have access to the internet at home

Figure 1 Percentage of households with internet access
go to full release

Summary of main findings:

  •  It is estimated 82% of households had access to the internet at home in 2014. This was unchanged on the previous year. See table 1a.
  • The main reasons stated for not having a household internet connection was Not needed (42%) and Lack of skills (39%). See table 1c.
  • Emailing (85%) was the most popular activity carried out on the internet by individuals. The next most popular activities selected from the options were social networking (63%) and internet banking (60%). See table 3.
  • The most popular types of goods or services being purchased by internet users were associated with travel and entertainment. Holiday accommodation(29%), Other travel arrangements(31%) and Tickets for events(30%) were the three most popular types of internet purchases. See table 4.
  • 35% of internet users stated they used storage space on the internet to store files (documents, pictures, music, video or other files). See table 5a.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Households: Devices used to access the internet 

Data for 2014 indicates that portable computers (including netbooks and tablets) were the most popular types of devices used to access the internet in the household (88% compared with 62% access using mobile phones or other mobile devices). See table 1b and figure 2

Type of Device% of households
Portable computer87.8
Other mobile devices62.1
Desktop computer23.4
Games console10.3
TV connected (Smart TV)9.1

Individuals: Frequency of use of the internet

In 2014, an estimated 80% of individuals used the internet in the 3 months prior to the interview. Of the 16-29 age category 86% accessed the internet every day, compared with just 26% of the 60-74 age category. 74% of individuals in the Dublin region accessed the internet every day, compared to 55% of individuals in the Border region. See tables 2a and 2b and figure 3.

Used within last 3 monthsUsed but not in the last 3 monthsNever used the internet
201276.95.117.9
201378.34.117.6
201479.7416.3

Individuals: Internet Activities

The most popular activities of individuals who accessed the internet in the last three months were, Email (85%), Social networking (63%), Internet banking (60%) and Using services related to travel or travel related accommodation (54%). Of the 16-29 age category, 89% of individuals access the internet for social networking purposes compared with just 25% of the 60-74 age category. See table 3 and figure 4

Internet ActivityMaleFemaleTotal
Email83.685.484.5
Video / Voice calls over the internet36.235.535.9
Social networking59.466.963.2
Reading or downloading news48.443.645.9
Services related to travel 54.554.454.4
Selling of goods or services17.710.714.1
Internet banking60.76060.3

Individuals: Internet Purchases

Half of indviduals (50%) aged 16 - 74 indicated they purchased goods or services over the internet in the twelve months prior to the interview. The most popular types of internet purchases made by individuals were Other travel arrangements (31% of individuals), Tickets for events (30%), and Holiday accommodation (29%). See table 4 and figure 5.

Online Purchases% of individuals
Food and Groceries4.9
Household goods13.1
Clothes or sports goods27.7
Electronic equipment14.6
Share purchases8
Films/music16.1
Books magazines newspapers18.5
Computer hardware3.9
Telecommunication services9.9
Holiday accommodation29
Other travel arrangements30.7
Tickets for events29.6
Medicine1.6
E learning material4.1
Other7.6

Individuals: Internet storage and file sharing

Data for 2014 indicates that 35% of internet users use storage space on the internet to save files (documents, pictures, music, videos). 12% of individuals who indicated they used storage space on the internet also indicated they paid for such storage space. Just over 41% of internet users used social media as a method of sharing files electronically. See tables 5a, 5b, 5c and figure 6

 

Age groupAge group
16-2941.9
30-4438.9
45-5927.1
60-7414.9
Table 1(a) Households with internet access, 2008 to 2014       
             % of households
         
  2008200920102011201220132014
  UnweightedUnweightedUnweightedUnweightedUnweightedUnweightedUnweighted
Desktop/portable computer permanently in the home%actual sample%actual sample%actual sample%actual sample%actual sample%actual sample%actual sample
                
State639,003678,287727,826786,3658110,0188210,283829,629
Household Composition              
 1 adult, no dependent children321,469351,456421,478511,169551,714551,810561,731
 2 adults no dependent children542,468592,246662,139721,727742,771782,686762,879
 3 or more adults no dependent children751,646801,481851,214881,033901,576921,534941,624
 1 adult with dependent children51335523396140476336785008253286404
 2 adults with dependent children792,169821,977871,945931,592952,551952,775962,205
 3 or more adults with dependent children79916867889064695508969069594695786
Number of persons at work in the household              
 0311,937362,058442,211561,906582,960613,036612,823
 1612,930672,797752,705822,220853,506873,484853,230
 2783,207842,734892,427931,871962,984953,158962,984
 3+81929886989348397368985689860598592
Internet Type              
 Broadband1003,6561004,4231004,7571004,1161006,6861007,0721007,602
 Narrowband1001,7831009801006581007151001,1371001,163100179
 No internet03,42902,77602,25601,42101,96701,84001,727
 Unknown internet10013510010810015510011310022810020813121
Population              
 Densely populated702,687742,856772,352832,174853,056863,301873,417
 Intermediate populated602,213631,787731,836791,534812,596832,444832,009
 Thinly populated594,103633,644673,638742,657784,366804,538784,203
Region              
 Border531,037569526087466602751,205751,154751,090
 Midlands54603634226644879321745938262680622
 West55786636377089079670828968197078877
 Dublin711,781752,126781,642841,486862,132872,390882,642
 Mid-East7283171822818438754587776861,062861,008
 Mid-West60966628417387477759791,085801,02580762
 South-East591,28564955651,08771902791,424811,301791,069
 South-West621,714651,532701,168761,080781,907811,755801,559
Note 1: Data are subject to sampling and other survey errors, which are relatively greater in respect of smaller values.      
Note 2: Households represent all private households with at least one occupant aged 16-74.         
Table 1(b) Households with internet access classified by type of device used to access the internet, 2014
            % of households
  Desktop computer Portable computer (laptop, netbook, tablet) Other mobile devices (mobile phone,media or games player, e-book reader) TV connected to the internet (Smart TV) Games console Unweighted sample 
State23 88 62 9 10 7,902 
Household Composition            
 1 adult, no dependent children16 82 52 5 3 971 
 2 adults no dependent children24 87 51 7 6 2,195 
 3 or more adults no dependent children27 90 65 10 12 1,519 
 1 adult with dependent children10 79 70 8 14 348 
 2 adults with dependent children23 90 72 11 13 2,120 
 3 or more adults with dependent children35 89 70 13 20 749 
Number of persons at work in the household            
 019 80 43 4 5 1,708
 123 87 62 9 10 2,738
 226 92 72 12 13 2,874
 3+28 93 73 13 15 582
Population           
 Densely populated23 90 67 14 14 2,970
 Intermediate populated22 88 66 8 8 1,661
 Thinly populated25 86 56 5 8 3,271
Region           
 Border23 87 65 8 10 820
 Midlands23 90 67 9 11 497
 West27 88 51 5 8 681
 Dublin24 90 73 16 16 2,334
 Mid-East24 87 72 10 12 862
 Mid-West26 82 50 6 6 609
 South-East22 86 54 3 7 846
 South-West20 87 48 5 4 1,253
Note 1: Data are subject to sampling and other survey errors, which are relatively greater in respect of smaller values.   
Note 2: Households represent all private households with at least one occupant aged 16-74.       
Note 3: More than one type of device may be indicated by respondents.
Table 1(c ) Households without internet access classified by reasons for not having household internet access, 2014
 % of households without internet access
  Access elsewhere Do not need internet Equipment costs too highAccess costs too highLack of skillsPrivacy / security concernsNot available in the areaOtherUnweighted sample
State 11421312393491,715
Household Composition          
1 adult, no dependent children 114410940329758
2 adults no dependent children 7479945348681
3 or more adults no dependent children 15422223281211100
1 adult with dependent children 3715292620.21155
2 adults with dependent children 2313373417515584
3 or more adults with dependent children [11][24][43][32][24][3][11][11]37
Number of persons at work in the household         
0 7461313434291,114
1 1738141235258483
2 253012623.149108
3+ ********10
Population          
Densely populated 16381717343010443
Intermediate populated 1041141444418346
Thinly populated 94510940268926
Region          
Border 9461518452214267
Midlands 54445321107125
West 1060151137263194
Dublin 18411717291010304
Mid-East 114512934266146
Mid-West 7409939137153
South-East 143512945315221
South-West 8321212489413305
        
Note 1: More than one reason may have been given by respondents.   
Note 2: Households represent all private households with at least one occupant aged 16-74.   
Note 3: * Sample occurrence too small for estimation.   
Note 4: Figures in parentheses [ ] indicate percentages based on small numbers, and are, therefore, subject to a wide margin of error.   
Table 2 (a ) Individuals' use of the internet classified by frequency of use, 2009 to 2014
                    % of individuals
  Used within last 3 months Used but not in the last 3 months Never used the internet
  200920102011201220132014 200920102011201220132014 2008200920102011201220132014
                       
State656775777880 554544 32302721181816 
Sex                     
 Male646673777878 453544 34322923181818 
 Female666976777981 554544 30292619181715 
Age Group                     
 16-29858793929396 544432 141093352 
 30-44747987899092 563443 22211510765 
 45-59535665707674 564656 44423931241920 
 60-74252738404643 355756 72726758534951 
Principal Economic Status                     
 At work757784888888 453333 232119149910 
 Unemployed606374737676 885868 46323021191816 
 Student959797949899 311311 7221420 
 Home duties414757636664 776857 49524637302929 
 Retired303543504952 476776 63655851434442 
 Other333351505150 697889 60625943424141 
Region                     
 Border485664727073 897665 39443628222422 
 Midland616074697677 242553 36373525271919 
 West596974757575 643545 39352723202120 
 Dublin767581828587 454643 23202015131110 
 Mid-East707381848083 432332 30272417131715 
 Mid-West636572747679 783645 34302725202116 
 South-East586169737575 574546 39373228222220 
 South-West636673757876 444645 33333023201920 
'Type of Internet connection                     
 broadband878689909191 232323 1011119877 
 narrowband747885858685 554546 20211612111010 
 No internet222020181919 91111161311 67696969676970 
 Unknown internet263939514045 642677 49685758445349 
Household Composition                   
 1 adult, no dependent children505159626065 485676 48464136323429 
 2 adults no dependent children606268707474 454534 38363428252422 
 3 or more adults no dependent children677177787980 432444 27282621181716 
 1 adult with dependent children666981818489 69111285 3128228786 
 2 adults with dependent children757987899092 653443 22191610765 
 3 or more adults with dependent children717580838285 553553 28252117131312 
Number of persons at work in the household                   
 0394657565862 676876 60544736363532 
 1647075798181 564544 34312521161515 
 2788087899091 442332 21191610887 
 3+777987888887 432323 2218181191011 
                       
Note 1: Data are subject to sampling and other survey errors, which are relatively greater in respect of smaller values.
Note 2: Individuals represent all individuals aged 16-74.
Table 2(b) Individuals who recently used the internet (in the last 3 months) classified by detailed frequency of use, 2011 to 2014
 % of individuals
    At least once a week  At least once a month  Didn't use in
   Every day  (but not every day) (but not every week)  last 3 months
  2011201220132014 2011201220132014 2011201220132014 2011201220132014
                     
State55586165 16151412 3333 25232221 
Sex           
 Male55596164 15141312 2243 27232221 
 Female55576266 18171412 3334 24232119 
Age Group                   
 16-2977787986 1412127 1222 7884 
 30-4464707477 19161412 3233 1311108 
 45-5943485754 17191415 4355 35302426 
 60-7421212826 13151412 2344 62605457 
Principal Economic Status                   
 At work65707274 16151311 3233 16131212 
 Unemployed49515656 20181616 4345 26272424 
 Student92869194 5864 0011 3721 
 Home duties30404645 22181715 4335 43373436 
 Retired25292934 16171615 2444 57505148 
 Other30323331 16131313 3457 49504950 
Region                   
 Border40505155 21191513 3356 36283027 
Midland54536064 14111310 3434 26322423 
West54565760 15161413 3242 26262525 
Dublin66677174 13121210 3223 19181513 
 Mid-East57636365 21181414 2234 19162017 
Mid-West54565861 14151313 4345 28262421 
 South-East46515461 18181611 4453 31272625 
South-West54556162 17161411 2333 27252224 
Type of Internet connection                   
Broadband68707375 18171513 3233 111099 
Narrowband62626367 19181816 3462 15151415 
No internet77109 8766 3335 80838181 
Unknown internet18282226 16171414 3545 61506055 
Household composition               
 1 adult, no dependent children42444450 14161211 2244 41384035 
 2 adults no dependent children51535859 13141212 3343 32302626 
 3 or more adults no dependent children60626469 1413128 3343 23222120 
 1 adult with dependent children54576274 21191813 5345 19201611 
 2 adults with dependent children62687274 21181614 3333 1311108 
 3 or more adults with dependent children60636470 17171512 3244 20181815 
Number of persons at work in the household               
 038373944 16161513 3345 43444238 
 153596365 18171513 3333 25211919 
 268727579 16151110 3232 1311109 
 3+73747375 1212129 2333 13121213 
Note 1: Data are subject to sampling and other survey errors, which are relatively greater in respect of smaller values.
Note 2: Individuals represent all individuals aged 16-74.
Table 3 Individuals who recently used the internet (in the last 3 months) classified by types of internet activity, 2014
% of individuals
  Email Video / Voice calls over the internetSocial networkingReading or downloading newsServices related to travel Selling of goods or servicesInternet bankingUnweighted Sample    
              
State853663465414607,075    
Sex            
Male843659485518612,789    
Female853667445411604,286    
Age Group            
16-29844089434813521,057
30-44884068515917712,858
45-59822841435614582,155
60-7480282540517481,005
Principal Economic Status        
At work884062516317724,188
Unemployed72256537351038632
Student87419243431243424
Home duties76276035461049985
Retired8329244358753608
Other7426503332942238
Region        
Border79256438421051688
Midland75306439441559442
West88356443561257590
Dublin914762606417682,200
Mid-East79316440491158788
Mid-West83336446541855536
South-East82296331501357738
South-West843363415514601,093
Type of Internet connection        
broadband863764475615626,659
narrowband82396047501462147
No internet558422229329221
Unknown internet703139302583848
Household Composition 
1 adult, no dependent children843155475211591,003
2 adults no dependent children863961506114631,900
3 or more adults no dependent children843769465312541,158
1 adult with dependent children74298037421255358
2 adults with dependent children863763455718682,024
3 or more adults with dependent children82316342441447632
Number of persons at work in the household 
075286140419411,480
1853562455413592,452
2893966506218712656
3+87426553561664487
       
Note 1: Data are subject to sampling and other survey errors, which are relatively greater in respect of smaller values.   
Note 2: Individuals represent all individuals aged 16-74.     
Note 3: More than type of activity may be given by respondents
Table 4 Individuals classified by types of purchases made online during the last 12 months, 2014
% of individuals
   Food and GroceriesHousehold goodsClothes or sports goodsElectronic equipmentShare purchases/financial services / insuranceFilms/musicBooks magazines newspapers e-learning materialComputer hardware
          
State5132815816194
Sex        
Male4122319917186
Female5153311715192
Age Group        
16-295103819522184
30-4492237201322256
45-593102111712173
60-7414543381
Principal Economic Status        
At work71835191221245
Unemployed2817939103
Student563619321206
Home duties51421649121
Retired167554122
Other251184770
Region        
Border3101911411113
Midland4133413919152
West3122411813163
Dublin81733211324276
Mid-East5162613714175
Mid-West5102812317163
South-East2102612710152
South-West4102513612153
Type of Internet connection        
broadband6153217919225
narrowband7142917914194
No internet011.60.20110
Unknown internet44823560
Household Composition 
1 adult, no dependent children27169613163
2 adults no dependent children4102515817194
3 or more adults no dependent children462716515174
1 adult with dependent children617327511142
2 adults with dependent children92738191220235
3 or more adults with dependent children5112912813163
Number of persons at work in the household 
02613738102
15132814717194
272037201322246
3+5103518817213
       
          
Table 4 contd. Individuals classified by types of purchases made online during the last 12 months, 2014
% of individuals 
  Telecommunication servicesHoliday accommodationOther travel arrangementsTickets for eventsMedicineE learning materialOther 
         
State10293130248
Sex       
Male11283129258
Female9303131247
Age Group       
16-29122730372511
30-4414404238269
45-598282926137
60-74213129103
Principal Economic Status       
At work13414240269
Unemployed6151715126
Student132124342614
Home duties5171817124
Retired4181814113
Other27107114
Region       
Border91920201313
Midland11262727239
West10232426237
Dublin14434740369
Mid-East9262930134
Mid-West9272526127
South-East7222225134
South-West6252525157
Type of Internet connection       
broadband12343635259
narrowband12293228138
No internet0.11.71.35.4001
Unknown internet2572011
Household Composition
1 adult, no dependent children8222321137
2 adults no dependent children10313230247
3 or more adults no dependent children10262730249
1 adult with dependent children7172023047
2 adults with dependent children21394037258
3 or more adults with dependent children9232829138
Number of persons at work in the household
04121413125
110293129146
2144243412511
3+11353638149
Note 1: Data are subject to sampling and other survey errors, which are relatively greater in respect of smaller values.  
Note 2: Individuals represent all individuals aged 16-74.      
Note 3: More than one type of purchase may be given by respondents
Table 5 (a) Individuals who recently used the internet (in the last 3 months) classified by whether  
          or not they have used the internet to store files, 2014
 % of individuals
  YesNoUnweighted Sample
     
State35657,075 
Sex   
Male37632,789 
Female32684,286 
Age Group   
16-2942581,057 
30-4439612,858 
45-5927732,155 
60-7415851,005 
Principal Economic Status   
At work39614,188 
Unemployed2774632 
Student4654424 
Home duties2080985 
Retired1684608 
Other2080238 
Region   
Border2377688 
Midland2971442 
West3268590 
Dublin43572,200 
Mid-East3070788 
Mid-West3169536 
South-East3565738 
South-West34661,093 
'Type of Internet connection   
broadband36646,659 
narrowband3169147 
No internet8.391.7221 
Unknown internet168448 
Household Composition
1 adult, no dependent children29721,003 
2 adults no dependent children37631900 
3 or more adults no dependent children40601,158 
1 adult with dependent children2872358 
2 adults with dependent children36652,024 
3 or more adults with dependent children2972631 
Number of persons at work in the household
026751,480 
133672452 
240602,656 
3+4159487 
     
Note 1: Data are subject to sampling and other survey errors, which are relatively greater in respect of smaller values. 
Note 2: Individuals represent all individuals aged 16-74. 
Note 3: Files includes documents, pictures,music, video or other files
Table 5(b) Individuals who used storage space on the internet classified by whether or not they paid for  
storage space
   % of individuals
  YesNoNot statedUnweighted Sample
      
State128442,263
Sex    
Male14833988
Female108641,275
Age Group    
16-2910883475
30-44138341,080
45-5915814564
60-7414834144
Principal Economic Status    
At work138431,539
Unemployed10837166
Student9893225
Home duties13843191
Retired1584398
Other[12][79][10]44
Region    
Border14799158
Midland15841126
West7893165
Dublin15823884
Mid-East13834227
Mid-West6905150
South-East7922230
South-West14816323
'Type of Internet connection    
broadband128432,195
narrowband2769640
No internet***20
Unknown internet***8
Household Composition    
1 adult, no dependent children16795274
2 adults no dependent children13842615
3 or more adults no dependent children11863401
1 adult with dependent children10837100
2 adults with dependent children12853690
3 or more adults with dependent children10873183
Number of persons at work in the household    
010854320
114834744
2138431,023
3+7904176
      
Note 1: Data are subject to sampling and other survey errors, which are relatively greater in respect of smaller values.  
Note 2: Individuals represent all individuals aged 16-74.  
Note 3: * Sample occurrence too small for estimation.
Note 4: Figures in parentheses [ ] indicate percentages based on small numbers, and are, therefore, subject to a wide margin of error.
Table 5(c) Individuals who recently used the internet (in the last 3 months) classified by methods of electronic file sharing, 2014 
 
% of individuals
  E-mails with attached filesPersonal websites (social networking sites)Storage space on the internetOther means not using internet (e.g. USB)Do not share filesUnweighted Sample
        
State54412428307,075
Sex 
Male57382831302,789
Female52432126304,286
Age Group 
16-2958613034201,057
30-4458442831262,858
45-5949221723412,155
60-744014913521,005
Principal Economic Status 
At work60412831274,188
Unemployed4036142040632
Student6164354115424
Home duties3836121543985
Retired4312101450608
Other3733131848238
Region 
Border4240163136688
Midland4036182742442
West5237212532590
Dublin66453435232,200
Mid-East5542222128788
Mid-West5140202434536
South-East4734201841738
South-West51432428301,093
Type of Internet connection 
broadband56422529296,659
narrowband5443253128147
No internet24196963221
Unknown internet24111196548
Household Composition      
1 adult, no dependent children50322126371,003
2 adults no dependent children56392726321,900
3 or more adults no dependent children58472831261,158
1 adult with dependent children3954172129358
2 adults with dependent children57402529292,024
3 or more adults with dependent children4843192932632
Number of persons at work in the household      
040351919431480
155382227302452
260452932252,656
3+6347303224487
        
Note 1: Data are subject to sampling and other survey errors, which are relatively greater in respect of smaller values.  
Note 2: Individuals represent all individuals aged 16-74.    
Note 3: Files includes documents, pictures,music, video or other files
Note 4: More than one method of file sharing may be given by respondents

Background Notes

About the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) household survey

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) household survey covers a range of topics related to the use of ICT by households and individuals. The ICT questionnaire focuses on the use of ICT for non-work related activities. The survey was conducted in the 1st Quarter of 2014 and asked respondents about their ICT activities over the previous 12 months. Each year the survey includes a specific group of questions relating to a particular area of ICT; in 2014 questions relating to the use of Cloud Computing were included.

Reference period

A module on Information communication technology (ICT) is included in the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in the three months from January to March each year (Quarter 1). The questionnaire asks questions about ICT activities for the reference period of twelve months prior to the interviews taking place.

Purpose of survey

The annual ICT Household survey by the QNHS contributes to the EU requirement under Regulation (EC) No 808/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 concerning Community statistics on the information society (OJ L143, 30.04.2004, p. 49). The QNHS began in September 1997, replacing the annual April Labour Force Survey (LFS). The purpose of the survey is the production of quarterly labour force estimates and occasional reports on special social topics. The ICT Household questionnaire is conducted in Quarter 1 as part of the QNHS. The annual ICT household survey is one of the special module subjects that make up the ad hoc module surveys appended onto the main QNHS Labour Force Survey.

Grossing

 The QNHS grossing procedure aligns the distribution of persons covered in the survey with independently determined population estimates at the level of sex, five-year age group and region.

 Statistical significance

 All estimates based on sample surveys are subject to error, some of which is measurable. Where an estimate is statistically significantly different from another estimate it means that we can be 95% confident that differences between those two estimates are not due to sampling error. Unless otherwise stated, changes and differences mentioned in the text have been found to be statistically significant at the 95% confidence level

 Survey Questionnaire

The 2014 ICT household questionnaire is available at

Detailed Methodology and Background notes available at

Information Society Statistics - Households

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