Proportion of individuals using the Internet

Sub-categories

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Headline data

Proportion of US individuals using the Internet (age 3 and over)
Year Value
2000 0.44
2001 0.54
2003 0.59
2007 0.62
2009 0.68
2010 0.72
2011 0.7
2012 0.75
2013 0.71
2015 0.75
2017 0.78

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey Internet Use Supplements

Geographical Area:

Unit of Measurement:

Footnote:

This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from United States statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from American statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other American-specific metadata information.

Indicator

Proportion of individuals using the Internet
Organisation

U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey Internet Use Supplements
Unit of measure

Proportion
Data sources

U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey Internet Use Supplements
Data providers

Jamie Lewis
Comment and limitations

The next CPS Computer and Internet Use Supplement is scheduled for 2017-11.
Method of computation

Data are derived from the 1) Computer and Internet Use and 2) School Enrollment and Internet Use Supplements of the Current Population Survey (CPS). The Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics jointly sponsor the CPS. The Census Bureau and National Center for Education Statistics jointly sponsored the 2003, 2007, and 2009-2010 supplements. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration sponsored the 2011-2013 and 2015 supplements. Data are collected by the Census Bureau. Individuals using the Internet: Persons age 3 and over who use the Internet from any location. Metadata sources: http://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/technical-documentation/complete.html
Actual indicator available - description

Proportion of individuals using the Internet, age 3 and over
Date of national source publication

October 2016
Periodicity

Annual or biennial
Date metadata updated

2017-10-03
Disaggregation geography

National and by state
Disaggregation categories

Available by age group, employment status, income (2010 forward), education, sex, race and Hispanic origin, disability status (2009 forward), metropolitan status, and whether school-aged child in household
International and national references

NA
Time period

The 2015 questionnaire asked about Internet use during the past 6 months. Earlier questionnaires did not specify a reference period.

This table provides information on metadata for SDG indicators as defined by the UN Statistical Commission. Complete global metadata is provided by the UN Statistics Division.

Indicator

Indicator 17.8.1: Proportion of individuals using the Internet
Target

Target 17.8: Fully operationalize the technology bank and science, technology and innovation capacity-building mechanism for least developed countries by 2017 and enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology
Organisation

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Definition and concepts

Definition:

The indicator proportion of individuals using the Internet is defined as the proportion of individuals who used the Internet from any location in the last three months.

Concepts:

The Internet is a worldwide public computer network. It provides access to a number of communication services including the World Wide Web and carries e-mail, news, entertainment and data files, irrespective of the device used (not assumed to be only via a computer - it may also be by mobile telephone, tablet, PDA, games machine, digital TV etc.). Access can be via a fixed or mobile network.
Unit of measure

Percent (%)
Data sources

The indicator proportion of individuals using the Internet is based on an internationally agreed definition and methodology, which have been developed under the coordination of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), through its Expert Groups and following an extensive consultation process with countries. It is also a core indicator of the Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development's Core List of Indicators, which has been endorsed by the UN Statistical Commission (last time in 2020). Data on individuals using the Internet are collected through an annual questionnaire that ITU sends to national statistical offices (NSO). In this questionnaire ITU collects absolute values. The percentages are calculated a-posteriori. The survey methodology is verified to ensure that it meets adequate statistical standards. The data are verified to ensure consistency with previous years’ data and situation of the country for other related indicators (ICT and economic).

The percentage of individuals using the Internet data are based on methodologically sound household surveys conducted by national statistical agencies. If the NSO has not collected Internet user statistics, then ITU estimates the percentage of individuals using the Internet.

Data are usually not adjusted, but discrepancies in the definition, age scope of individuals, reference period or the break in comparability between years are noted in a data note. For this reason, data are not always strictly comparable.

Some countries conduct a household survey where the question on Internet use is included every year. For others, the frequency is every two or three years.

ITU makes the indicator available for each year for 200 economies by using survey data and estimates for almost all countries of the world.
Data providers

National Statistical Office (NSO).
Comment and limitations

While the data on the percentage of individuals using the Internet are very reliable for countries that have collected the data through official household surveys, they are less reliable in cases where the number of Internet users is estimated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). ITU is encouraging all countries to collect data on this indicator through official surveys and the number of countries with official data for this indicator is increasing.
Method of computation

For countries that collect data on this indicator through an official survey, this indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of in-scope individuals using the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months by the total number of in-scope individuals. For countries that have not carried out a survey, data are estimated (by ITU) based on the number of Internet subscriptions and other socioeconomic indicators (GNI per capita) and on the time series data.
Metadata update

2024-07-29
International organisations(s) responsible for global monitoring

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Related indicators

4.4.1, 4.5.1, 9.c.1, 17.6.1
UN designated tier

1
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