Belgians spend on average 3.7 hours per day online
Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, publishes the results of its new survey on the use of ICT in households, including new figures on the amount of time spent online each day. While Belgians spend an average of 3.7 hours per day online, the survey also reveals generational differences.
In Belgium, the average time spent online is 3.7 hours per day. However, this average covers very different situations. Nearly one quarter of the population (23%) spends an hour or less per day online. On the other hand, just over one person in ten (11%) report screen time of more than 8 hours per day.
Between these two extremes, 20% of the population spends between 1 and 2 hours online each day, 15% between 2 and 3 hours, 18% between 3 and 5 hours, and 13% between 5 and 8 hours.
Large disparities per age
Screen time varies greatly depending on age. The 16-24-year-olds are the group that spends the most time online, with an average of over 5 hours per day. 78% of them are in front of screens more than 3 hours per day.
From the age of 25 onwards, the average time spent online gradually decreases. It stands at around 4.9 hours per day for 25-34-year-olds, 4.3 hours for 35-44-year-olds and 3.6 hours for 45-54-year-olds. The decline is more pronounced from the age of 55 onwards. People aged 75 to 89 spend on average just over one hour a day online, and nearly 7 out of 10 report screen time of one hour or less.
Screen time per level of education
The time spent online also varies according to the level of education. Highly-skilled people spend on average 4.4 hours per day on screens, which is more than medium-skilled people (3.4 hours) or low-skilled people (2.9 hours).
More than one third (36%) of low-skilled people spend one hour or less per day online. On the other hand, the figure is 14% for highly-skilled people. And while 5% of low-skilled people spend more than 8 hours on screens, the figure is 16% for highly-skilled people.
Beyond the averages, the data show that screen time is not distributed evenly. While part of the population has limited daily usage, others, particularly among the younger generation, spend several hours online each day.
The ICT survey in households also covers:
- the use of the internet and activities carried out online
- the use of artificial intelligence by individuals
- online administration
- e-commerce.
Check the downloadable tables to access all this information.
Purpose and brief description
This data collection from households and individuals aims to compile internationally comparable statistics from national indicators on the digital divide.
Moreover, the survey is subsidised by Eurostat, the European statistical office.
Field of research
The survey on ICT usage by households and individuals is coupled to the Labour Force Survey as a special ‘ICT and Internet’ module. A randomly selected person in the household answers all the questions, over both the situation of the household and his/her individual situation.
Data collection method and sample size
Data collection method
There are two data collection methods for the ICT survey among households and individuals since 2009: a web application and a paper form. When the LFS survey is completed, the interviewer selects among the household members on the basis of the birth dates who will have to answer the questions on ICT usage. The interviewer hands a paper form and a paid envelope over as well as a document with instructions and access codes for the web application. A reminder is sent to the households who didn’t answer within two or three weeks after the interviewer’s visit. Before 2009, the interviewer interviewed households orally following the LFS survey.
Sampling
The sample of the ICT survey among households and individuals is coupled to the LFS survey. All households having taken part to the LFS survey are invited to answer the questions on ICT usage.
Response
The response rate of the ICT survey is 67 % of the households who took part to the LFS survey. The response rate compared to the initial gross sample is 45 %.
Frequency
The ICT survey is organised on a yearly basis.
Timing of publication
The data have to be sent to Eurostat by the beginning of October. The results are available for the general public by the end of the year.
Definitions
Low-skilled people are people who have at best a lower secondary education diploma. Medium-skilled people have obtained an upper secondary education diploma, but no higher education diploma. High-skilled people have a higher education diploma.