YOUNG WEB USERS | Internet use high among young, educated Filipinos —SWS

JUNE 5, 2019 — Young and educated Filipinos continue to dominate internet use in the country, a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed.

In the survey conducted from March 28-31, the SWS found that among the 1,440 respondents, 46 percent of adult Filipinos use the internet, a figure that is statistically similar to the record-high 47 percent in December 2018.

Based on the long-view data of the SWS, an upward trend in the proportion of internet users in the country since 2006 has been observed, with the steady increase of online users in the Philippines. Back in 2006, only 8 percent of Filipino adults were internet users.

The first quarter survey of 2019 showed that internet use is consistently high among young people aged 18 to 24, representing 86 percent (down from 88 percent in December 2018).

It was followed by those aged 25 to 34 years old at 71 percent (up from 69 percent); 35 to 44 years old at 55 percent (down from 56 percent); 45 to 54 years old at 30 percent (down from 32 percent); and those aged 55 years and above at 14 percent (down from 17 percent).

In terms of educational attainment, the proportion is highest among college graduates at 79 percent (up from 77 percent in December 2018), followed by high school graduates at 58 percent (down from 60 percent); elementary graduates at 33 percent (up from 31 percent); and non-elementary graduates at 11 percent (down from 15 percent).

Internet use has always been highest in Metro Manila compared to Balance of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The proportion of internet users was at 64 percent in Metro Manila (up from 59 percent in December 2018); 48 percent in Balance Luzon (down from 56 percent); 39 percent in Mindanao (up from 32 percent); and 34 percent in Visayas (down from 35 percent).

More women are online users compared to men. A record-high 50 percent of Filipino women are internet users, while 41 percent of Filipino men use the internet.

The pool of respondents for the nationwide survey includes an equal number of men and women.