How many people use the Internet of Things?

The Internet of Things is more topical than ever. Nearly three-quarters of the Dutch population now own one or more smart devices or cars that are connected to the internet and send and exchange data online without human intervention.

Show datatableThe Internet of Things at home, 2020 (% of people
aged 12 and over)Hide datatableThe Internet of Things at home, 2020 (% of people
aged 12 and over)

The Internet of Things at home, 2020 (% of people
aged 12 and over)

Toepassing	Usage
Total	72
Smart water, gas or electricity meter	59
Smart thermostat	27
Virtual assistant via app or smart speaker	20
Smart lighting, smart plugs or other smart-living systems	14
Smoke detectors, security cameras or other safety systems	11
Smart home appliances	6

Cars, refrigerators, ovens, speakers, lighting and much more can be connected to the internet. These devices send and receive data online. Taken altogether, these are referred to as the Internet of Things or the Internet of Everything. Nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of the Dutch population aged 12 years or older indicated in 2020 that they had such a ‘smart’ device or system at home. Fifty-nine percent had a at home that can be read remotely. Over a quarter used a smart thermostat and two in ten a virtual assistant (like Siri, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Bixby) that can be controlled via an app or a smart speaker.

Lighting, smart plugs or other systems for smart living as well as smoke detectors, security cameras or other security systems are less commonly used: 14 and 11 percent, respectively, said they used such systems at home. Six percent had household appliances, such as a robot vacuum cleaner, refrigerator or coffeemaker, that are connected to the internet at home.

Some have no need for smart devices

Some people see the Internet of Things as a technological leap forward, while others exhibit reluctance. Of those who indicated not to use smart devices or systems at home, 77 percent cited a lack of need as the reason. High costs or concerns about privacy or security were each cited by a quarter as (one of the) reasons. Less-frequently cited reasons were unfamiliarity with such devices and systems, unfamiliarity with their use, concerns about personal safety and health and that other devices at home could not be connected to the internet.

Show datatableReason for not having smart devices at home¹⁾, 2020 (% of people aged 12 and over
without smart device at home)Hide datatableReason for not having smart devices at home¹⁾, 2020 (% of people aged 12 and over
without smart device at home)

Reason for not having smart devices at home¹⁾, 2020 (% of people aged 12 and over
without smart device at home)

Reden	Reason for not having smart device
No need	77
Too expensive	29
Privacy or safety concerns	25
Unfamiliarity with smart devices	10
Unfamiliarity with their use	6
Concerned about health risks	5
Unable to connect other devices	3
1)More than one answer possible

Smartwatch and activity tracker in demand

In addition to smart devices and systems for the home, nearly 20 percent used smart accessories, such as a smartwatch or activity tracker. Ten percent had a car with a built-in internet connection. In 2020, six percent used smart devices for health, such as scales or a blood pressure monitor. Three percent had internet-connected toys, such as robots or dolls.

The questions

1. How are figures calculated by CBS?
2. How many dwellings in the Netherlands?
3. How fast is the Dutch population growing?
4. How tall are Dutch people?
5. How many farm animals are there in the Netherlands?
6. Which jobs often cause a poor work-life balance?
7. How many diamond wedding couples are there?
8. How much energy is from renewable sources?
9. How many people fall victim to domestic violence?
10. How many people use the Internet of Things?
11. What are the major religions?
12. What are the most popular majors?
13. What do people die of on an average day?
14. How much water do we consume?
15. What do we buy online?
16. How are the various animal species doing?
17. How many under-23s receive youth assistance?
18. Which flower bulbs are most common?
19. How many companies in the Netherlands?
20. Where do Caribbean Dutch children live?
21. How do we use our land?
22. How many electric cars are driving around?
23. Which jobs have the highest levels of mental fatigue?
24. How much nitrogen is emitted at livestock farms?
25. How many workers belong to a trade union?
26. How much have food prices gone up?
27. Where were people in the Caribbean Netherlands originally born?
28. How many families are at risk of poverty?
29. How sustainable is our behaviour?
30. What do we import from China?
31. How many girls become teenage mothers?
32. Has our purchasing power gone up or down?
33. How many adults smoke?
34. How many millionaires in the Netherlands?
35. How many tourists stay overnight in the Netherlands?
36. How does CBS handle your privacy?