Aduc News Italy
- Rome - Online shopping continues to gain traction, with a 2.2 percentage point increase in the proportion of individuals making purchases online between 2023 and 2024.
- Overall internet penetration reached 86.2% in 2024, a 2.5 percentage point increase from the previous year.
- conversely, internet access is almost universal (99.1%) in households with at least one minor.
Online Shopping and Internet Usage Rise, Especially Among Elderly
Rome – Online shopping continues to gain traction, with a 2.2 percentage point increase in the proportion of individuals making purchases online between 2023 and 2024. Clothing remains the most popular e-commerce purchase at 23.2%, followed by home goods at 13.7%, according to a recent study.
Digital Divide Narrows, but Persists
While internet access is expanding, disparities remain. Overall internet penetration reached 86.2% in 2024, a 2.5 percentage point increase from the previous year. Access is near-universal (93.4%) for households with at least one member aged 16-74, aligning with the EU27 average of 94.1%. However, only 60.6% of households comprised solely of individuals 65 and older have internet access at home.
conversely, internet access is almost universal (99.1%) in households with at least one minor. Among families without minors but with members who are not exclusively elderly, access reaches 94.5%.
Territorial Disparities
A geographical divide persists, with southern regions lagging in internet access. The center-north boasts 4.8 percentage points higher connectivity than the south. Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia lead with 89.3% connectivity, followed by trentino-Alto Adige at 89.1%. Sicily (82.3%),Molise (80.8%), and Basilicata (79.7%) have the lowest rates.
Education and Access
Educational attainment strongly correlates with internet access. Among families with at least one graduate, 98.3% have internet access. This figure drops to 94.4% for families where the highest educational attainment is a higher diploma,and further to 65.3% for those with a middle school license.
Elderly Embrace the Internet
Internet usage is growing among older demographics. In 2024, 81.9% of individuals aged six and older used the internet in the three months prior to being surveyed.While usage approaches saturation for those aged 11-54 (over 93%), it declines to 68.1% for those aged 65-74 and 31.4% for those 75 and older.
Between 2023 and 2024, internet usage increased by 2.4 percentage points with notable gains among adults and the elderly, especially in the 65-74 (+7.6 percentage points) and 75+ (+6.7 percentage points) age groups.
Gender Gap Persists in Older Age Groups
A gender gap in internet usage remains, particularly among older individuals. In 2024, 84.5% of men aged six and older reported using the internet,compared to 79.5% of women. This difference is negligible up to age 59, but widens among those aged 60-64 (4.3 percentage points favoring men) and becomes pronounced among those 75 and older (38.3% of men vs. 26.5% of women).
Regional Usage Differences
A territorial gap in internet usage persists. the South lags behind, with 77.5% usage, trailing the North by 7 percentage points and the Center by 5.9 percentage points.
Educational attainment remains a key factor. among those aged six and older, 95.8% of graduates and 91.6% of those with a higher secondary school diploma use the internet, compared to 69.7% of those with a middle school license or less. The gap between managers, entrepreneurs, and freelancers (96.5%) and workers (92.0%) has narrowed over time.
Dialogue Dominates Online Activities
Communication services are the primary driver of internet usage. In 2024,73.4% of internet users aged six and older used instant messaging services,66% made online calls,and 62% used email in the three months preceding the survey. Watching videos on platforms like YouTube,Instagram,and TikTok is also popular (57.4%).
Other common activities include listening to streaming music or web radio (49.4%), searching for details on goods or services (48.2%), and seeking health information (46%). Just over two-fifths (44.3%) used the internet for banking services.
Internet Usage in 2024: Your Burning Questions Answered
Introduction:
This article explores how internet usage and online shopping evolved in 2024, based on recent data. We’ll delve into shifts in demographics, regional differences, popular online activities, and the ongoing digital divide. The data is based on a study regarding internet usage among families and individuals (specifically, the information provided in the
).
Q: How has online shopping changed recently?
A: Online shopping continues to grow. Between 2023 and 2024,there was a 2.2 percentage point increase in the proportion of people making online purchases. Clothing remains the most popular e-commerce purchase, accounting for 23.2% of online shopping, followed by home goods at 13.7%.
Q: what’s the current state of internet access in general?
A: Overall internet penetration reached 86.2% in 2024, a 2.5 percentage point increase from the previous year.Access is almost worldwide (93.4%) for households with at least one member aged 16-74, aligning with the EU27 average (94.1%).
Q: Is there still a digital divide, and if so, where is it most apparent?
A: Yes, disparities in internet access persist. A geographical divide exists, with southern regions lagging behind. The center-north has 4.8 percentage points higher connectivity than the South. Also, education plays a key role.
Here’s a breakdown of access in different regions, education levels, and demographics:
| Category | Percentage with Internet Access (2024) |
| —————————- | ————————————— |
| Overall | 86.2% |
| Households 16-74 | 93.4% |
| Households 65+ only | 60.6% |
| Households with minors | 99.1% |
| Center-North vs. South | 4.8 percentage point difference |
| Graduates | 98.3% |
| Higher Diploma | 94.4% |
| Middle School License or Less | 65.3% |
Q: Has internet usage among senior citizens increased?
A: Yes, internet usage is growing among older demographics. In 2024, 81.9% of individuals aged six and older used the internet in the three months prior to being surveyed. notably, the 65-74 age group saw a notable increase of 7.6 percentage points in usage between 2023 and 2024, and the 75+ age group saw a 6.7 percentage point increase.
Q: Are there any gender differences in internet usage?
A: Yes, a gender gap persists, notably among older individuals. In 2024, 84.5% of men aged six and older reported using the internet compared to 79.5% of women. This difference is negligible up to age 59, but widens among those aged 60-64 and becomes quite pronounced in the 75+ age group. In the 75+ age group, 38.3% of men use the internet compared to 26.5% of women.
Q: What are the main activities that people engage in online?
A: Dialog services are the primary drivers of internet usage. In 2024:
73.4% of internet users aged six and older used instant messaging services.
66% made online calls.
62% used email.
Watching videos on platforms like youtube, Instagram, and TikTok is also very popular with 57.4%.
49.4% listen to streaming music or web radio.
48.2% search for details on goods or services.
46% seek health information.
44.3% use the internet for banking services.
Q: Do you have any final remarks?
A: The data clearly shows the continued growth of internet usage, the evolving dynamics of online behavior, but also the uneven distribution of access and usage across different demographics. These trends highlight the importance of addressing the digital divide to ensure everyone can benefit from the opportunities the internet offers.