Usage of internet in households and by individuals, detailed data, 2024
Seven out of ten residents use smart devices or systems
In the first quarter of 2024, 70% of 16–74-year-olds used smart devices or systems. 28% of them had problems using them. 60% of Internet users keep a replaced or unused device, such as a mobile or smartphone, at home.
Usage of smart devices or systems is increasing
In the first quarter of 2024, 91% of individuals aged 16 to 74 used the Internet. Not only the 16–74-year-olds (hereinafter: residents), but also various devices or systems increasingly communicate over the Internet. During this period, 70% or about 1,100,430 residents used smart devices or systems for private purposes (in 2022: 67%). These Internet-connected devices can also be connected to each other to enable services such as remote control, adjusting settings or receiving feedback from the device. The highest share of users of smart devices or systems was, as expected, among 16–24-year-olds (92%) and the lowest among 65–74-year-olds (35%). By statistical region, the use of such devices was the highest in Koroška (78%) and Osrednjeslovenska (77%), and the lowest in Savinjska (58%).
Virtual assistants in the form of an app or smart speaker were used by a fifth
More than half of residents (51%; in 2022: 49%) used an Internet-connected smart TV to browse the Internet or watch online videos. 36% (in 2022: 32%) used a smart watch, a bracelet, glasses, wireless headphones or other smart accessories, 32% (in 2022: 24%) used a speaker or audio system connected to Bluetooth and 11% (in 2022: 7%) an Internet-connected smart speaker or audio system that allows voice control or control of other smart devices (e.g. Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, Google Home, Sonos One).
A tenth of residents used an Internet-connected game console, e.g. Playstation, Xbox, 8% used a smart device for monitoring blood pressure, sugar levels, body weight (e.g. smart scales) or other smart devices for health and medical care, e.g. a smart toothbrush or Telekom's E-oskrba service. Smart toys, such as robots, drones or dolls, were used by 3%.
Problems with Internet or other connection was most frequent when using smart devices
28% of users of smart devices and systems encountered various problems when using them. More than a fifth (22%) answered that they had other problems, e.g. with the Internet, Bluetooth or other connection. 7% of users had difficulties with using the device, e.g. setting up, installing, pairing the device. 4% had security or privacy problems, e.g. due to hacking into the device (this is around 44,560 people), and 1% had safety or health problems when using the device, e.g. accident, injury or health problem. The largest share (72%) of users of smart devices and systems had no problems using them.
Recently replaced or unused devices most frequently kept in the household
The increasing use of the Internet and devices for activities such as browsing or messaging contributes to a rise in both electronic and digital waste.
More than half (60%) of Internet users in the last 3 months before interviewing answered that they keep their mobile or smartphone in their household after replacing it, 36% do the same with their laptop or tablet and 23% with their desktop computer.
19% of residents sold or gave away their mobile or smartphone and 11% did the same with their laptop or tablet and also desktop computer.
15% of them disposed of their desktop computer in electronic waste or handed it to a retailer when purchasing a new device or to a company that collects or recycles electronic equipment, while a tenth (10%) did so with their mobile or smartphone and the same share with laptop or tablet. There were very few who disposed of such devices in other regular waste, around 1%.
The rest answered that they still use such devices or that they do not own them or do not use them.
When purchasing a device, price and hardware are the most important factors
When buying a new or used device, people decide primarily on the basis of its features. When choosing a mobile or smartphone, desktop, laptop or tablet, price was the most important factor for Internet users (68%), followed by hardware characteristics, e.g. disk size, processor speed, graphics card or camera, at 62%. Fewer than half (46%) stated the brand, design or size of the device as influencing their purchase decision, and 15% said the device's energy efficiency was an important factor – with the largest share among the young (25%).
More than a tenth (11%) thought that the eco-design of the device was important when purchasing a device, e.g. the durable, upgradeable or repairable design and environmentally friendly materials. 10% said that the possibility of extending the warranty or buying an extra guarantee and 8% the possibility of having a take-back scheme offered by the manufacturer or seller.
Tables with the latest data on online purchases and usage of public authorities' websites or apps, also by statistical regions, are available in the SiStat Database.
In the first quarter of 2024, 91% of individuals aged 16 to 74 used the Internet. Not only the 16–74-year-olds (hereinafter: residents), but also various devices or systems increasingly communicate over the Internet. During this period, 70% or about 1,100,430 residents used smart devices or systems for private purposes (in 2022: 67%). These Internet-connected devices can also be connected to each other to enable services such as remote control, adjusting settings or receiving feedback from the device. The highest share of users of smart devices or systems was, as expected, among 16–24-year-olds (92%) and the lowest among 65–74-year-olds (35%). By statistical region, the use of such devices was the highest in Koroška (78%) and Osrednjeslovenska (77%), and the lowest in Savinjska (58%).
Virtual assistants in the form of an app or smart speaker were used by a fifth
More than half of residents (51%; in 2022: 49%) used an Internet-connected smart TV to browse the Internet or watch online videos. 36% (in 2022: 32%) used a smart watch, a bracelet, glasses, wireless headphones or other smart accessories, 32% (in 2022: 24%) used a speaker or audio system connected to Bluetooth and 11% (in 2022: 7%) an Internet-connected smart speaker or audio system that allows voice control or control of other smart devices (e.g. Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, Google Home, Sonos One).
A tenth of residents used an Internet-connected game console, e.g. Playstation, Xbox, 8% used a smart device for monitoring blood pressure, sugar levels, body weight (e.g. smart scales) or other smart devices for health and medical care, e.g. a smart toothbrush or Telekom's E-oskrba service. Smart toys, such as robots, drones or dolls, were used by 3%.
Problems with Internet or other connection was most frequent when using smart devices
28% of users of smart devices and systems encountered various problems when using them. More than a fifth (22%) answered that they had other problems, e.g. with the Internet, Bluetooth or other connection. 7% of users had difficulties with using the device, e.g. setting up, installing, pairing the device. 4% had security or privacy problems, e.g. due to hacking into the device (this is around 44,560 people), and 1% had safety or health problems when using the device, e.g. accident, injury or health problem. The largest share (72%) of users of smart devices and systems had no problems using them.
Recently replaced or unused devices most frequently kept in the household
The increasing use of the Internet and devices for activities such as browsing or messaging contributes to a rise in both electronic and digital waste.
More than half (60%) of Internet users in the last 3 months before interviewing answered that they keep their mobile or smartphone in their household after replacing it, 36% do the same with their laptop or tablet and 23% with their desktop computer.
19% of residents sold or gave away their mobile or smartphone and 11% did the same with their laptop or tablet and also desktop computer.
15% of them disposed of their desktop computer in electronic waste or handed it to a retailer when purchasing a new device or to a company that collects or recycles electronic equipment, while a tenth (10%) did so with their mobile or smartphone and the same share with laptop or tablet. There were very few who disposed of such devices in other regular waste, around 1%.
The rest answered that they still use such devices or that they do not own them or do not use them.
When purchasing a device, price and hardware are the most important factors
When buying a new or used device, people decide primarily on the basis of its features. When choosing a mobile or smartphone, desktop, laptop or tablet, price was the most important factor for Internet users (68%), followed by hardware characteristics, e.g. disk size, processor speed, graphics card or camera, at 62%. Fewer than half (46%) stated the brand, design or size of the device as influencing their purchase decision, and 15% said the device's energy efficiency was an important factor – with the largest share among the young (25%).
More than a tenth (11%) thought that the eco-design of the device was important when purchasing a device, e.g. the durable, upgradeable or repairable design and environmentally friendly materials. 10% said that the possibility of extending the warranty or buying an extra guarantee and 8% the possibility of having a take-back scheme offered by the manufacturer or seller.
Tables with the latest data on online purchases and usage of public authorities' websites or apps, also by statistical regions, are available in the SiStat Database.
METHODOLOGICAL NOTE
Additional explanations are available in the methodological explanations.
The survey is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Eurostat. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
The survey is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Eurostat. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
When making use of the data and information of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, always add: "Source: SURS". More: Copyright.
