Number of household internet connections rising, despite credit crunch

Figures released today by National Statistics Online show that the number of internet connections is continuing to rise, despite the economic climate.

The statistics show that in 2008, 65 per cent of households in Great Britain (almost 16.5 million) had access to the internet, almost 1 million more households than at the same time in 2007, and 5 million more households than 2002.

Of the UK including Northern Ireland, 65 per cent of households had access to the internet, showing an increase of 8 per cent since 2007. The region with the highest level of access was South East, with 74 per cent, whereas households in the North East had the lowest level of access with just 54 per cent.

The statistics indicate that the number of broadband connections is also on the rise. Of those households with internet connections, 56 per cent are connected via broadband, compared with 51 per cent in 2007.

The report found that age and education also factored into the statistics, with 93 per cent of adults under the age of 70 who had a degree or equivalent having access. Individuals who had no formal qualifications were less likely to have internet access, at just 56 per cent.