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Telecom.IT: Study: 8.8 million internet users in Romania
Internet penetration in Romania increased exponentially in the past years, and, at present, at national level there are 8.8 million users, including 6.5 million daily users, a study by the Romanian Audit Bureau (BRAT), sent on Monday reveals.
According to the study, 70pct urban inhabitants and 44pct of Romania's rural population use the internet. In the urban area, daily internet use for the 14-64 age group increased more than sevenfold between 2002 and 2015, from 8pct to 56pct.
Moreover, 56pct of people living in rural households have internet access. From this point of view, after electricity, the internet represents the second utility the inhabitants of rural areas have access to and can afford.
According to the survey, from an environment that is considered elitist, accessed mainly by young educated people in large cities, the internet has become accessible to an increasing category of population.
In urban areas, over 95pct of young people aged 14-24 use the internet and in Bucharest and other large cities the percentage exceeds 98pct. In rural areas the percentage is 82pct, but, given the rapid growth rate, most probably, the percentages will even out in a few years.
Over 75pct of users use internet for e-mail, 63pct to access services websites, 84pct to search for information, 20pct for gambling and sports bets, etc., the study reveals.
According to BRAT, 30pct of the overall urban population and 47pct of young people aged 14-24 uses the internet for online shopping; 26pct of people aged 25-34 make online payments on a monthly basis, and 58pct of people aged under 45 make online searches before deciding to purchase a product.
BRAT is the media industry body that measures the audiences of written press and online media, audits the (print) media circulation and monitors investment in advertising (written press, online, radio and outdoor).