ACTIVITY :: Information Society Statistics

Measuring the Information Society

Stimulating the development of the Information Society across Europe requires comparable EU-level data. Most such statistics available today are produced in the framework of two surveys, coordinated by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office.

Eurostat has been involved in producing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) statistics for the Information Society since the Lisbon Goal was set in 2000. Since then Eurostat has coordinated two surveys across Europe: one based on ICT usage and e-commerce in Enterprises, the other on ICT usage in households and by individuals. Data is also sourced from Eurostat’s COINS (Telecommunications in Europe) and COMEXT (External trade) databases, plus the Structural Business Statistics and the Labour Force Survey (see Eurostat themes, right).

This data are used in Eurostat’s Structural Indicators, eEurope 2005 benchmarking activities and a variety of other Eurostat publications (see ‘Library’ right). A number of recent initiatives, including Regulation (EC) 808/2004 and annual measures implementing that Regulation have helped to further improve statistical analysis.

Two Eurostat Surveys

Note: the model questionnaires used for these surveys can be found when clicking on the icon which links to the SDDS metadata accompanying the statistics on ICT ().

Surveying ICT Usage and e-Commerce in Enterprises

This annual survey aims to produce harmonised and comparable statistics on the European enterprises' access to and use of ICT systems. The information collected covers computer and related technology usage, access to and use of internet, e-commerce and e-business processes, e-government use, e-security and sales and purchases via the Internet and other computer networks, e-competence and ICT skills as well as barriers to use ICT. The statistics produced are broken down by enterprise size class and economic activity.

In 2001 National Statistical Offices of the Member States agreed on a Eurostat model questionnaire and piloted this survey on a voluntary basis. Since then other Member States and some EFTA countries followed, with a boost in 2004, when most of the new Member States and Candidate Countries carried out the survey for the first time. In 2005 all Member States (except one) and Norway reported data to Eurostat. Starting from 2006 this data collection has been based on a legal framework to assure completeness of the data for all Member States.

Surveying ICT usage in households and by individuals

This annual survey aims to collect harmonised and comparable information on the Europeans citizens’ access to and use of computers and the Internet. Data are collected on the available ICT devices as well as the frequency and location of computer and internet use. Users are asked for the purpose and nature of their activities (including e-shopping) while non-users are asked to report their main barriers to the e-society.

The scope of the survey was broadened over the years by introducing questions on ICT skills and security related issues. To make detailed and policy-relevant analysis of the data collected possible, information is also collected on the socio-economic background of the respondents. The statistics produced are broken down by age groups, gender, education and employment situation.

In 2002 National Statistical Offices of the Member States agreed on a Eurostat model questionnaire and piloted this survey on a voluntary basis. Since then other Member States and some EFTA countries followed, with a boost in 2004, when most of the new Member States and Candidate Countries carried out the survey for the first time. In 2005 all Member States (except two) and EEA countries reported data to Eurostat. Starting from 2006 this data collection has been based on a legal framework to assure completeness of the data for all Member States.

Innovations in 2004

Regulation (EC) 808/2004 concerning Community statistics on the Information Society, published on 30 April 2004, constitutes the legal framework for National Statistical Institutes to provide the statistics needed for the Structural Indicators and the e-Europe benchmarking process, while giving the Member States full flexibility in how they obtain these statistics. For each year implementing measures specify the variables to be covered, which form the basis for the annual Eurostat model questionnaires.

Since 2004 the domain 'Information Society' in Eurostat’s free dissemination database has progressively been extended. This domain contains a number of collections, grouped on a thematic basis:

the Policy Indicators benchmarking the Commission’s eEurope Action Plans and the ensuing i2010 initiative,
the Information Society Structural Indicators,
the telecommunication services,
additional issues on computer and the Internet in households and enterprises, and
e-commerce.

(The above links take you to page where you must then click on the 'Information society statistics' domain)

Eurostat and the National Statistical Offices have developed a Methodological Manual for the surveys on ICT usage in enterprises and households. The last version of this Manual is available through the SDDS metadata link ().

Main objectives of this manual:

provide guidelines for developing the national surveys,
help harmonise the national surveys, and
help share experiences of the countries and best practice gathering.