ICT Usage by Households: 2023
Internet usage by individuals
The survey on information and communication technology usage, partly financed by the European Commission, revealed that nearly all individuals aged 16 to 34 used the internet in 2023. In contrast, individuals aged 65 to 74 recorded the lowest internet usage levels, with only 68.7 percent (Table 2). Notwithstanding this, internet usage in Malta exceeded the EU-27 average by 0.7 percentage points (Chart 1).
Chart 1. Percentage of individuals who used the internet 1
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1 Includes only persons who used the internet within three months prior to the surveying period (refer to Table 2).
Results indicate that internet usage was primarily for communication purposes, with 98.6 percent of individuals using it for this reason. Additionally, 94.3 percent of individuals reported using the internet for access to information (Table 3).
Chart 2. Main activities for internet use by sex 1
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1 Includes only persons who used the internet within three months prior to the surveying period (refer to Table 2).
Notes:
1. Refer to Methodological note 4 for more information on internet activities.
2. Categories are not mutually exclusive.
e-Government services
Between 2022 and 2023 the number of e-Government users increased by 5.6 per cent. In absolute terms, the population accessing e-Government services stood at 282,794, which is equivalent to 74.3 per cent of internet users. The uptake of this service was more common among individuals aged between 16 and 44 years. No major difference between males and females was noted in terms of use of e-Government services (Table 5).
E-commerce
Internet users who engaged in e-commerce activities during the reference period amounted to 246,753 (64.8 per cent). In absolute terms, majority of e-commerce users (56.6 per cent) were within the 25 and 44 age bracket (Table 6). The most common goods or services acquired online were deliveries from restaurants, fast-food chains or catering services, followed by the purchase of clothes (Table 7). Differences of e-commerce activities can be noticed by sex, and in this regard males were more likely to opt for deliveries from restaurants, fast-food chains or catering services whereas females were more likely to purchase clothes online.
In terms of subscriptions acquired over the internet, one notes that the most common are subscriptions to films or series as a streaming service or downloads (Table 8).
Digital skills
Seven out of every 10 internet users possess ‘basic’ or ‘above basic’ overall digital skills with individuals aged between 16 and 24 years being the most likely to have ‘above basic’ digital skills (Table 9). The areas where a high percentage of individuals demonstrate proficiency are ‘communication and collaboration skills’ and ‘information and data literacy skills’. In both areas, over 87 percent of internet users exhibit ‘above basic’ knowledge (Table 10).
Chart 3. Frequency of internet use by age group
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Tables
Tables
Methodological Notes
Communication includes sending and/or receiving emails, making calls over the internet, instant messaging and participating in social networks.
Access to information includes reading online news, seeking health-related information, and finding information about goods or services.
Professional life includes looking for a job or sending a job application online.
e-Government users include individuals who obtained information from public authorities or public services over the internet for private purposes, individuals who downloaded or printed official forms, and individuals who submitted completed forms online.
Digital skills indicators
Digital skills indicators are indicators based on selected activities related to internet or software use, performed by
individuals aged 16-74 in four specific areas, namely:
Information and data literacy skills – To articulate information needs, to locate and retrieve digital data, information and content. To judge the relevance of the source and its content. To store, manage, organize digital data, information and content.
Communication and collaboration skills – To interact, communicate and collaborate through digital technologies while being aware of cultural and generational diversity. To participate in society through public and private digital services and participatory citizenship. To manage one’s digital identity and reputation.
Digital content creation skills – To create and edit digital content. To improve and integrate information and content into an existing body of knowledge while understanding how copyright and licences are to be applied. To know how to give understandable instructions for a computer system.
Safety skills – To protect devices, content, personal data and privacy in digital environments. To protect physical and psychological health, and to be aware of digital technologies for social well-being and social inclusion. To be aware of the environmental impact of digital technologies and their use.
Problem solving skills – To identify needs and problems, and to resolve conceptual problems and problem situations in digital environments. To use digital tools to innovate processes and products. To keep up-to-date with the digital evolution.
It is assumed that individuals having performed certain activities have the corresponding skills. Therefore the indicators can be considered as proxy of the digital competences and skills of individuals.
| Number | % population | |||
| 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | |
| Sex: | ||||
| Males | 211,338 | 218,524 | 52.8 | 52.8 |
| Females | 188,627 | 195,020 | 47.2 | 47.2 |
| Age Group: | ||||
| 16-24 | 45,625 | 44,671 | 11.4 | 10.8 |
| 25-34 | 92,526 | 96,332 | 23.1 | 23.3 |
| 35-44 | 82,977 | 89,212 | 20.7 | 21.6 |
| 45-54 | 63,294 | 67,368 | 15.8 | 16.3 |
| 55-64 | 59,721 | 59,917 | 14.9 | 14.5 |
| 65-74 | 55,822 | 56,044 | 14.0 | 13.6 |
| Total | 399,965 | 413,544 | 100 | 100 |
6. More information relating to this news release may be accessed at:
Sources and methods
Statistical Concepts
7. References to this news release are to be cited appropriately. For guidance on access and re-use of data please visit our dedicated webpage.
8. European statistics comparable to data in this News Release are available here.
9. A detailed news release calendar is available online.
10. For further assistance send your request through our online request form.
ICT Usage by Households: 2023
- 92.1 per cent of persons aged between 16 and 74 years used the internet.
- During 2023, 97.3 per cent of internet users used the internet on a daily basis.
- In 2023, 74.3 per cent of internet users made use of e-Government services.
- Internet users who engaged in e-commerce activities during 2023 amounted to 246,753.
- The most common items or services acquired online were deliveries from restaurants, fast-food chains or catering services, and clothes.
