Internet usage in households and by individuals, Slovenia, 2009

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64% of households had access to the Internet, the share of households with broadband Internet access increased

In the first quarter of 2009 the share of households that had access to the Internet increased to 64%, 5 percentage points more than in the same period of 2008. The review by the type of households shows the highest increase in Internet access by households without children (by 6 percentage points). On the other hand, the share of households with children that had access to the Internet stayed almost unchanged.

In one year the share of households with broadband Internet connections increased by 6 percentage points to 56%. The most widespread type of broadband Internet connection is xDSL connection with 31% (1 percentage point more than in the same period of 2008). The shares of cable connection (20%) and other broadband access, e.g. example optic fiber (6%) increased by more than 3 percentage points. On the other hand, the share of narrowband Internet connections dropped to 8% (1 percentage point less than in the same period of 2008). 4% of households accessed the Internet via modem, which is 1 percentage point less than in the same period of 2008, and 5% accessed the Internet via ISDN (the same share as in the same period of 2008).

Most regular Internet users were still in the age group 10 to 15 years, the difference in usage of Internet between sexes decreased

In the first quarter of 2009 almost 1.1 million or 64% of all people aged 10 to 74 used the Internet (regular Internet users), 6 percentage points more than in the same period of 2008. Most regular Internet users were still in the age group 10 to 15 years (98%). The review by sex shows that 65% of males and 64% of females were regular Internet users. The difference in Internet usage by sex decreased by 2 percentage points in favour of females compared with the same period of 2008.

Internet usage

People aged 10 to 74 used the Internet in the first quarter of 2009 for a wide range of activities: 54% were sending or receiving e-mails (49% in the same period of 2008), 48% of people or 1 percentage point less than in the same period of 2008 were searching for information about goods or services, while 12% actually ordered or bought goods or services over the Internet in the last 3 months. 11% were looking for a job or sending a job application (9% in the same period of 2008). 31% of people used the Internet for interaction with public services in the last 3 months (8% of them returned filled in forms - 2 percentage points more than in the same period of 2008).


Web communication increased, people aged 16 to 24 created or maintained profiles in social networks most often

The share of people aged 10 to 74 years who used the Internet for different forms of web communication increased. 35% of them read on-line discussion forums (6 percentage points more than in the same period of 2008), 15% of them telephoned or used video calls (5 percentage points more than in the same period of 2008) and 13% of them posted messages to chat sites (4 percentage points more than in the same period of 2008). The shares of web communications also increased more by females.

22% of people (23% of males and 22% of females) created or maintained profiles in social networks; most often females aged 16 to 24 with 69%, followed by males in the same age group with 68%.

E-commerce was increasing, purchases over web from national sellers prevailed

The trend of increasing e-commerce continued. 28% of people or 6 percentage points more than in the same period of 2008 already bought goods or services over the Internet - 83% of them in the last 12 months.

People in the last 12 months mostly bought films, music, books, magazines and software with 43% (44% in the same period of 2008), 39% bought clothes and sports goods (30% in the same period of 2008). 35% of them decided for household goods (e.g. furniture, toys, cars), while 30% of them bought holidays or travel arrangements.

Most e-buyers (84%) bought products from national sellers (1 percentage point less than in the same period of 2008), while 35% of them bought products from other EU countries’ sellers (2 percentage points more than in the same period of 2008). 63% of e-buyers paid in cash or via ordinary bank transfer and 44% of them provided credit or debit card details over the Internet.

E-buyers mostly attracted by convenience, only few of them encountered problems

More than two thirds of people who bought or ordered goods or services over the Internet in the last 12 months marked convenience as a very important argument for e-purchase. 64% of them marked lower prices or certainty about legal rights and guarantees as very important. Arguments easy to use the website with 63% and opportunity to buy products not available in my area or region with 57% follow. E-buyers attribute less importance to wider choice of goods and services, certification of quality of website services and opinion rating or feedback.

7% of e-buyers encountered problems when buying over the Internet in the last 12 months. 43% of them complained about lower speed of delivery than indicated, 37% of them received wrong or damaged goods or services and 35% of them complained about technical failure of the website. 5% of e-buyers that encountered problems were victims of fraud.

Many people still prefer to shop in person

People who did not buy goods or services in the last 12 months mentioned most often (88%) that they prefer to shop in person. 69% had no need for e-commerce and 64% had payment security concerns.