Household access and internet usage amount to 94%

Households
Household access and internet usage amount to 94%

The percentage of households [i] with access to the internet has further increased to 94% in 2022.
It was 86% in 2017 and only 78% in 2012. Households with school-age children [ii] practically all have access to the internet compared to 93% of households without children.

On average, a household has 5 devices or systems at home to go online. Households with school-age children have an average of 7.5 devices or systems compared to 4.3 among households without children.

Internet usage of individuals also rises to 94%

Internet usage by Belgians aged 16-74 during the last 3 months continued to rise to 94% in 2022. It was 88% in 2017 and only 81% in 2012.

Both people with a serious long-term health problem and low-educated women score less well, with only 80% of them using the internet in 2022 during the last three months.

In 2022, only 4% of Belgians aged 16-74 have never used the internet. In 2017, the figure was 10% and in 2012 it was 13%.

Nevertheless, 15% of people with a serious long-term health problem and 13% of low-educated women have never used the internet in 2022.

Internet telephony and messaging

The number of Belgians aged 16-74 who made phone calls over the internet, with or without video, increased from 58% in 2019 to 75% in 2022. Instant messaging (Skype, Messenger, Whatsapp, Viber, Snapchat) increased from 58% in 2019 to 69% in 2022. Taking an online course also increased from 9% to 21% in the COVID-19 period.

E-government

64% of Belgians aged 16-74 have printed or downloaded official documents and 55% received official documents or messages via their own account (eBox). 32% made a reservation or appointment with a government organisation online. Among low-educated women and people with serious long-term health problems, these percentages are much lower.

E-government Downloading or printing official documents Receive official documents or messages via your account (eBox) Making an appointment or reservation
Total 64% 55% 32%
Low-educated women 41% 36% 20%
Serious long-term health problem 40% 35% 16%

Tax on web

Only 6% of those who used the internet during the last 12 months submitted a paper tax return.


[i] Households where at least one person is in the age group 16-74

[ii] age 6-17 years