Internet

ICT plays an ever-larger role in daily life. Many people use the internet at home and at work, but also elsewhere. Smartphones with high-speed internet in particular allow people access virtually anywhere, anytime. In 2018, 98 percent of Dutch households had internet access, putting the Netherlands at the forefront within Europe. The Netherlands also ranks among the European top in terms of high-speed broadband connectivity and mobile internet usage.

Practically all Dutch homes have broadband internet access. With access in 97 percent of all households, the Netherlands topped the EU ranking in 2018. On average, 86 percent of European households have broadband internet access. Greece and Bulgaria have the lowest shares at 76 and 71 percent respectively.

Along with Denmark and the United Kingdom, the Netherlands leads the pack in terms of daily internet usage. Ninety percent of Dutch people aged 16 to 74 years use the internet on a daily basis, versus 76 percent on average in the EU population.

The Netherlands among leaders in mobile internet usage

In 2018, Denmark, Sweden (both 88 percent) and the Netherlands (86 percent) had the highest internet penetration rates in Europe on mobile devices such as a laptop, tablet or smartphone. On average, 69 percent of the EU population used mobile devices to access the internet that year.

Smartphone use popular in the Netherlands

In 2018, 84 percent of people in the Netherlands and Denmark and 86 percent of people in Sweden had smartphone internet access outside of the home or work. This gave them the lead in the EU, where on average 67 percent of smartphone users had access. Smartphone access away from home or work is lowest in Italy at 39 percent.

The Netherlands shares second place with Denmark in terms of internet banking (86 percent) and ranks third for consumer purchases online (80 percent).

Sources

Eurostat – Internet access

Eurostat – Broadband

Eurostat – Mobile devices

Eurostat – Smartphone

Eurostat – Online purchases