News Releases

ICT Usage by Households: 2025

NR 037/2026
Release Date: 04 March 2026

A methodological enhancement to the technique used to weight data in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Household Survey has been implemented. This methodological enhancement aims to improve the accuracy and representativeness of the survey results. More information available in the press information notice published on 2 March 2026.

In 2025, 96.0 per cent of persons aged 16 to 74 years used the internet.
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Internet usage by individuals

The survey on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage, partly financed by the European Commission, indicates that all individuals aged 16 to 44 used the internet within three months prior to the surveying period. In contrast, persons aged 65 to 74 recorded the lowest level of regular internet use, at 76.9 per cent (Table 2).

Overall, internet usage in Malta exceeded the EU-27 average by 2.2 percentage points (Chart 1).

Results show that the internet was used primarily for communication purposes, with 99.0 per cent of internet users reporting such use. Additionally, 92.6 per cent used the internet to access information (Table 4).

Mobile devices were the most popular means of accessing the internet, with 98.6 per cent of users going online via a mobile device (Table 5). Almost 90 per cent of internet users reported encountering no difficulties while using the internet (Table 6).

Generative Artificial Intelligence tools

In 2025, almost half of internet users aged 16 to 74 made use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. Usage was highest among younger individuals, with 76.4 per cent of those aged 16 to 24 reporting use, compared to only 12.5 per cent of internet users aged 65 to 74.

The primary reason for using AI tools was for private purposes, followed by work-related activities (Table 7).

Table 8 presents the main reasons for not using AI tools. The most commonly cited reason was a perceived lack of need (26.6 per cent), followed by a lack of knowledge about existence of such tools (11.8 per cent).

e-Government services and e-Commerce activities

The number of e-government users increased by 2.4 percentage points between 2024 and 2025. In absolute terms,349,483 persons accessed e-government services, equivalent to 78.3 per cent of the target population. Uptake was highest among individuals aged 16 to 54 years (Table 9).

The use of e-ID to access services provided by public authorities, public services and businesses reached 65.1 per cent among persons aged 16 to 74 (Table 10).

Internet users who engaged in e-commerce activities during the reference period totalled 279,006 (65.1 per cent). In absolute terms, the majority of e-commerce users (70.9 per cent) were aged between 16 and 44 years (Table 11).

Digital skills and management of personal data

In 2025, almost 40 per cent of internet users aged 16 to 74 possessed above basic digital skills (Chart 3).

Table 12 illustrates the distribution of digital skills by level and highlights differences between males and females, as well as across age groups. Only 30.5 per cent of internet users aged 65 to 74 possessed at least basic digital skills (basic or above basic), compared with 91.5 per cent among those aged 16 to 24.

Respondents reported taking various measures to manage access to personal data online. In particular, 55.5 per cent indicated that they limited access to their profiles or content and checked website security before providing personal data (Table 13). In addition, almost 30 per cent of internet users use anti-tracking software to limit online tracking for advertising purposes (Table 14).

Methodological Notes

1. The survey on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage by households is conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on an annual basis, under European Regulation (EC) No. 808/2004. The target population for this survey included all persons aged between 16 and 74 residing in private households. A gross sample of 2,210 individuals was selected using systematic random sampling from the population register held and maintained by NSO. A total of 1,725 filled questionnaires were collected between April and June 2025. Most surveys were carried out through telephone interviews.
 
2. As from reference year 2023, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage by households and individuals data are being weighted using an updated set of benchmarks. These include:
– Six age-group categories by sex (16-24; 25-34; 35-44; 45-54; 55-64; 65-74)
– The number of Maltese nationals and foreign nationals
– The distribution of persons by district
 
3. Use of internet referred to in this news release includes all means of accessing this medium.
 
4. Definitions:
 
Main activities for internet use:

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.

Civic and political participation includes expressing opinions on civic or political matters on websites or in social media and taking part in online consultations or voting on civic and political issues.
Professional life includes looking for a job or sending a job application online.
Other online services include selling of goods or services and internet banking.

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  Indicator 
The digital skills of individuals are measured via the Digital Skills Indicator (DSI). The DSI is a composite indicator covering activities in 5 competence areas:
1.Information and data literacy
2. Communication and collaboration
3. Digital content creation
4. Problem-solving
5.  Safety skills
Individuals who have performed these activities are assumed to have the corresponding skills. Exemplary activities include sending e-mails, using spreadsheet software, managing access to personal data, fact checking, or changing software settings. To achieve a level of at least basic overall digital skills, individuals must have performed at least one activity related to each area.

 
5. Below is a demographic profile of individuals’ population frame used for the purposes of this survey. Population estimates are based on the 2025 population estimates.
Number % population
2023 2024 2025 2023 2024 2025
Sex:    
   Males 225,362 237,534 242,460 53.6 54.2 54.3
   Females 195,095 200,708 204,092 46.4 45.8 45.7
Age Group:
   16-24 47,985 49,002 48,418 11.4 11.2 10.8
   25-34 98,876 106,768 108,255 23.5 24.4 24.2
   35-44 90,648 96,982 101,771 21.6 22.1 22.8
   45-54 68,197 71,169 74,251 16.2 16.2 16.6
   55-64 59,300 58,917 58,349 14.1 13.4 13.1
   65-74 55,451 55,404 55,508 13.2 12.6 12.4
Total 420,457 438,242 446,552 100 100 100

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: 2025

NR 037/2026
Release Date: 04 March 2026

A methodological enhancement to the technique used to weight data in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Household Survey has been implemented. This methodological enhancement aims to improve the accuracy and representativeness of the survey results. More information available in the press information notice published on 2 March 2026.

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  • Nine out of ten persons aged 16–74 used the internet (96.0 per cent).
  • Internet access on a daily basis was reported by 98.9 per cent of users.
  • Nearly 80 per cent of persons aged 16 to 74 used e-government services in 2025.
  • Internet users who engaged in e-commerce activities during 2025 amounted to 279,006.
  • Almost 40 per cent of internet users aged 16–74 had above-basic digital skills.

ICT Usage by Households: 2025

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The implementation of the ICT usage by households for 2025 has been partially funded by the European Union.

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