Internet Use Continues to Grow in Europe

A new report by Forrester Research has revealed that regular Internet use in Europe has grown to 39 per cent but with 50 per cent of these users under 35 years old, the Internet remains mainly a medium for well educated young people.

In 1999 only 19 per cent of Europeans aged 16 or over regularly accessed the Internet but by 2001 this had doubled to 39 per cent which represents 116 million users.  The highest penetration rates are in the Nordic region with access rates between 60 and 70 per cent but France, Italy and Spain continue to lag behind with penetration rates of 30 per cent.

The two largest online populations are Germany and the UK with 30 million and 20 million users respectively.  Half of all Europeans have access to the Internet in some shape or form.

The fastest growth of Internet usage is expected to be in Italy where a penetration rate of 68 per cent (33.1 million regular users) is expected by 2006.  Germany is expected to maintain its lead with over 70 per cent (48.5 million regular users) with the UK in third place with 68 per cent (32.8 million regular users).  Online penetration in Scandinavia is expected to peak at 70 per cent from 2003 onwards.

Based on: Anonymous (2002) Europe continues to embrace the Web, Marketing Week, 25 April, 40.