1.1. Contact organisation
Bundesanstalt Statistik Österreich ("STATISTICS AUSTRIA")
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Directorate Social Statistics
Research and Digitalisation
1.3. Contact name
Restricted from publication1.4. Contact person function
Restricted from publication1.5. Contact mail address
Guglgasse 13
1110 Vienna, Austria
1.6. Contact email address
Restricted from publication1.7. Contact phone number
Restricted from publication1.8. Contact fax number
Restricted from publication2.1. Metadata last certified
20 December 20242.2. Metadata last posted
20 December 20242.3. Metadata last update
20 December 20243.1. Data description
The EU survey on the use of ICT in households and by individuals is an annual survey conducted since 2002. In Austria, it has been conducted since 2002.
In 2024, the survey collects data on the access to information and communication technologies (ICT), on the use of the internet, e-government and e-commerce, internet of things, as well as green ICT.
3.1.1. Survey name in national and English languages
National language: Einsatz von Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien (IKT) in Haushalten und bei Personen 2024
English: EU survey on the use of ICT in households and by individuals
Questionnaire(s) in national language(s) and the translation in English are available in the Annexes below.
3.2. Classification system
The following common concepts and definitions apply under the Integrated European Social Statistics (IESS):
- the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) 2011 published in the following breakdowns: low (ISCED levels 0-2: no formal education, primary education or lower secondary education), medium (ISCED levels 3-4: upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education) and high (ISCED levels 5-6: tertiary programmes which normally need a successful completion of ISCED 3 or 4, or second-stage tertiary education leading to an advanced research qualification);
- the International Standard Classification for Occupation ISCO-08 at the 2-digit level;
- the Classification of Economic Activities (NACE Rev.2-2008), at section level;
- the Common classification of territorial units for statistics (NUTS 1) – finer granularity of NUTS 2 is provided on optional basis by some Member States;
- the SCL – Geographical code list;
- information about household income is provided at lower level of detail.
Additional classifications used in the national questionnaire: No additional classifications used in the national questionnaire.
3.3. Coverage - sector
The ICT survey in households and by individuals covers those households having at least one member in the age group 16 to 74 years old. Internet access of households refers to the percentage of households that have an internet access, so that anyone in the household could use the internet.
3.3.1. Differences in scope at national level
No differences in scope at national level.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The survey is collecting data of internet users, individuals who have used the internet in the three months prior to the survey.
This annual survey is used to benchmark ICT-driven developments, both by following developments for core variables over time and by looking in greater depth at other aspects at a specific point in time. While the survey initially concentrated on access and connectivity issues, its scope has subsequently been extended to cover a variety of subjects (for example, the use of internet, e-government, e-commerce, internet of things and green ICT) and socio-economic analysis (such as regional diversity, gender specificity, differences in age, education and the employment situation). The scope of the survey with respect to different technologies is also adapted to cover new product groups and means of delivering communication technologies to end-users.
For more details on the methodology applicable in each survey year, please consult the Compiler's Manual for the respective year.
Deviations from standard ICT concepts: No deviations from standard ICT concepts at national level.
3.5. Statistical unit
Households and Individuals
3.6. Statistical population
In the ICT usage survey, the target population for the different statistical units is:
- Individuals: all individuals aged 16 to 74;
- Households: all (private) households with at least one member aged 16 to 74.
Target population composed of households and/or individuals:
- Number of households: 3,7 million
- Number of individuals: 6,8 million
3.6.1. Non-compulsory age groups
Non-compulsory age groups also included in the target population:
| No | Yes | Age scope | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individuals younger than 16? | x | ||
| Individuals older than 74? | x |
3.6.2. Population not covered by the data collection
| Non-target population (the difference between the total population and the target population) | Households | Individuals |
|---|---|---|
| Approximate number of units outside the general scope of the survey (for example individuals younger than 16 or older than 74; households with all members over 74 years old). | 0.5 | 2.2 |
| Estimate of the resulting percentage of under-coverage (non-covered population compared to the total country), if applicable | approximately 11% | approximately 25% |
3.7. Reference area
The full territory of Austria is covered by the survey.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Year 2024
3.9. Base period
Not applicable
Percentages of ‘Households’ and Percentages of ‘Individuals’
For most questions the reference period is the last three months before the interview. Questions in the modules on e-government and eID refer to the 'last year' before the interview.
Deviation from this statement: No deviations at national level.
5.1. Survey period
Data collection from April to July 2024.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
The legal basis for the 2024 EU survey on the use of ICT in households and by individuals is the Regulation (EU) 2019/1700 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 October 2019 establishing a common framework for European statistics relating to persons and households, based on data at individual level collected from samples (OJ L 261 I, 14 October 2019, p. 1), as implemented by the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1484 of 18 July 2023 specifying the technical items of the data set, establishing the technical formats for transmission of information and specifying the detailed arrangements and content of the quality reports on the organisation of a sample survey in the use of information and communication technologies domain for reference year 2024 in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2019/1700 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 182, 19 July 2023, pp. 100-149) and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1797 of 7 July 2023 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1700 of the European Parliament and of the Council by specifying the number and titles of the variables for the use of information and communication technologies statistics domain for the reference year 2024 (OJ L 233, 21 September 2023).
Complementary national legislation constituting the legal basis for the survey on the use of ICT in households and by individuals: No complementary national legislation.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not applicable.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Security and protection of collected, processed and administered data and information is an utmost priority. All data storage and processing done, is in line with the General Data Protection Regulation and the Austrian Data Protection Act, following Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164).
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Beginning in May 2018, the strict data protection information came into force and is available under Legal basis - data protection.
8.1. Release calendar
Dates of the release of the ICT in households survey results in the first publication media (=internet) is preannounced in the release calendar of Statistics Austria, which is publicly accessible.
8.2. Release calendar access
Statistics Austria's release calendar can be accessed online.
8.3. Release policy - user access
Results are disseminated to all users at the same time. After the data has been submitted to Eurostat, a press release statement is prepared and the information on the website is updated (key highlights, graphs, tables). Both the press release and the updated website are released on the same day free of charge.
Standard tables are available online to all users free of charge.
Specific data are provided to everyone with a specific request. Feasibility of the request and payment of possible expenses are checked in advance.
Microdata is later added to the Austrian Micro Data Centers (AMDC) where the data can be requested by accredited researchers (e.g. researchers at accredited universities) for a charge.
A publication with more detailed results is planned for 2024. It will be available online free of charge to all users. Alternatively, the publication can be bought in paper format.
Annual
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
The press release of the 2024 results on the 24 October 2024 is available on Statistic Austria's ICT usage in households website.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
- A press release was published on 24 October 2024, an overall publication will follow in 2025.
- Main results are also presented on Statistics Austria's website.
- Statistical Yearbook 2025 (published at the beginning of 2025).
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Results for selected variables collected in the framework of this survey are available on Digital economy and society of Eurostat website.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Not available.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Micro-data access (e.g. for researchers) has to be requested. The Austrian micro-data is available in the Austrian Microdata Center (AMDC) (web page only in German).
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Data are sent to Eurostat.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Not available.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Metadata about methodology and quality is available in every paper and electronic publication. The most detailed documentation on methodology and quality is the so-called "Standard Documentation", which is released on Statistics Austria's website. The Standard Documentation is available in German; a summary is available in English as well. The most detailed documentation on methodology and quality is the so-called "Standard Dokumentation", which can be found on Statistic Austria's ICT usage in households website.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
100%
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Quality documentation is included in the "standard documentation".
11.1. Quality assurance
Statistics Austria is committed to ensuring the highest quality with respect to the compilation of statistical information. In accordance with the Federal Statistics Act (Article 24), Statistics Austria has to use statistical methods and processes in compliance with internationally recognised scientific principles and standards, conduct ongoing analyses of the statistics with a view to quality improvements and ensure that statistics are as up-to-date as possible. This commitment to quality is also specified in Statistics Austria’s mission statement. In adopting the European Statistics Code of Practice, Statistics Austria has committed to adhering to principles and standards for the production and dissemination of high-quality statistics. As part of the European Statistical System (ESS), Statistics Austria recognises the Quality Declaration of the ESS. The Statistics Council has set up a Quality Assurance Committee, a primary focus of which is the ongoing examination of potential quality improvements.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
In cooperation with the Statistic Committee’s Quality Assurance Committee, feedback meetings concerning the quality of the different statistical products are held regularly within the framework of Statistics Austria’s quality management programme. In addition, internal quality audits are carried out by the quality management team. The content and objectives concern critical examination of the quality aspects of statistics with particular consideration of the methods and processes used; identification of quality improvement potential; development of recommendations for improvement measures; and improvement of the standard documentation relating to the statistics in question, with special attention to the views of users and external experts.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
At national level, there is an ongoing exchange with some of the national main data users (e.g. ministries, researchers).
At European level, European Commission users (e.g. DG CNECT, DG GROW, DG JUST, DG REGIO, DG JRC etc.) are the principal users of the data on ICT usage by households and by individuals and contribute to identifying/defining the topics to be covered. Hence, main users are consulted regularly (at hearings, task forces, ad hoc meetings) about their needs and are involved in the process of the development of the model questionnaires at a very early stage.
User needs are considered throughout the whole discussion process of the model questionnaires aiming at providing relevant statistical data for monitoring and benchmarking of European policies.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
At the national level, there is an ongoing exchange with some of the national main data users (e.g. ministries, researchers).
At European level, contacts within the Commission, the OECD and other stakeholders give a clear picture about the key users' satisfaction as to the following data quality aspects: accuracy and reliability of results, timeliness, satisfactory accessibility, clarity and comparability over time and between countries, completeness and relevance. Overall users have evaluated positively (good, very good) the data quality on the ICT usage by households and by individuals.
12.3. Completeness
All variables required for transmission have been included.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
100%
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The survey was conducted with a large sample size. The representativity of the sample and the quality of the sample frame were high. Furthermore, various actions were taken to reduce non-sampling errors. Therefore, overall accuracy was estimated to be high.
13.2. Sampling error
A rescaled bootstrap procedure for calibrated multistage samples is used for standard error calculation.
For more details see: Preston J. (2009) Rescaled bootstrap for stratified multistage sampling. Survey Methodology 35(2) 227-234.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Precision estimates for the question "Individuals having ordered goods or services for private use over the internet in the last 12 months" (individuals who ticked 'Within the last 3 months' or 'Between 3 months and a year ago' in in the question “When did you last buy or order goods or services for private use over the internet?”):
- Number of respondents (absolute value for ‘Yes’ answers): 4023.
- Estimated proportion (in %): 70.7.
- Standard error (in percentage points): 0.98.
Details of the breakdowns are available in document "Standard errors – Mandatory – Optional questions_AT – 2024" in the Annexes below.
13.3. Non-sampling error
See more details on non-sampling error below.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Non-applicable.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Non-applicable.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not requested in the ICT survey.
13.3.2. Measurement error
1) Measurement errors:
A source of measurement errors could be unreliable answers of the respondents. The questionnaire is quite long and sometimes it may be hard to memorize all conducted internet activities in the reference period. Therefore, some respondents may give cursory answers. To prevent measurement errors, efforts were made in questionnaire design and testing.
2) Questionnaire design and testing:
The questionnaire was adapted to fulfil the requirements of web data collection. The usability of web questionnaire was tested and evaluated to be adequate.
3) Interviewer training:
Before data collection the interviewers participated in the training course. The content of the course included several themes like the background and objectives of the survey, the questionnaire and fieldwork instructions.
4) Proxy interview rates:
0%
13.3.3. Non response error
Information about non-respondents:
The non-response was higher among younger male respondents (persons aged 16-34). But all in all, it may be stated that the interviewees were relatively representative of the population, and that these distortions in terms of age and gender could be corrected by means of weighting coefficients.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
The unit non-response rate is the ratio of the number of in-scope non-respondents (= number of rejected interviews) to the number of eligible elements selected from the sampling frame.
Unit non-response rate for
- Households: 38.5
- Individuals (aged 16-74): 56.2
13.3.3.1.1. Unit non-response – sample sizes
| Number of households | Number of individuals (aged 16-74) |
Number of individuals (< 16) |
Number of individuals (> 74) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross sample [A]The number of households/individuals initially selected from the sampling frame (if not applicable, indicate why below the table) | 7 340 | 13 793 | ||
| Ineligible: out-of-scope [B] For example, when a selected household is not in the target population because all members are over 75 years old or when no dwelling exists at the selected address, or a selected individual has died between the reference data of the sampling frame at the moment of the interview. | 116 | 609 | ||
| Number of eligible elements [C]Gross sample size corrected of the ineligible cases | 7 224 | 13 184 | ||
| Net sample size or final sample [D]The net sample size (or final sample) corresponds to the number of households/individuals that can be used in the final database. | 4 445 | 5 774 | ||
| Unit response rate [E] = [D] / [C]The unit response rate is the ratio of the number of in-scope respondents (= the number of achieved interviews or the net sample size) to the number of eligible elements selected from the sampling frame. | 61.5 | 43.8 |
Comments, if any:
13.3.3.1.2. Unit non-response – methods, minimization and substitution
- Methods used for dealing with unit non-response: Respondents were informed by an advance notification letter about the survey. To minimize unit non-response the survey was conducted in a sequential mixed mode design. First the respondents were asked to do a web-questionnaire. In a second step non-responders were asked for a CATI-interview.
- Methods used for minimizing unit non-response: No imputation was done on unit level. Unit-non-response-bias was corrected by grossing up procedures.
- Substitution permitted: No.
- Substitution rate (in %): Not applicable.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Items with low response rates (observed rates in %):
Only one indicator had a substantial non-response rate. The Global Activity Limitation Indicator (GALI) had a nonresponse-rate of 8 percent. For none of the other items the observed non-response rate was above 1.5 percent.
13.3.4. Processing error
In order to code the raw data according to the codebook the statistical programming package R was used. Data were validated according to Eurostat standards.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable
14.1. Timeliness
Date of data dissemination at national level: October 2024
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Restricted from publication14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Restricted from publication14.2. Punctuality
See detailed sections below.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Data was sent to Eurostat on 4 October 2024.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
There is no problem of comparability across the country’s regions.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not relevant
15.2. Comparability - over time
Possible limitations in the use of data for comparisons over time: No limitations known.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
The length of comparable time series depends on the module and variable considered within each of the modules of the survey.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Not applicable
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable
15.4. Coherence - internal
All statistics are coherent within the dataset provided by the country.
15.4.1. Survey questionnaire – mandatory questions
MANDATORY questions in the Eurostat model questionnaire 2024: Table 15.4.1. of document "Standard errors – Mandatory – Optional questions_AT – 2024" in the Annexes lists the questions for which the coverage of subjects and characteristics reflected in the national questionnaire differs from Annex 2 of the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1797 of 7 July 2023.
15.4.2. Survey questionnaire – optional questions
Adoption of OPTIONAL questions and items in the Eurostat model questionnaire 2024: Table 15.4.2. of document "Standard errors – Mandatory – Optional questions_AT – 2024" in the Annexes lists the optional questions from the annual Eurostat model questionnaire 2024 included in the national questionnaire and their coverage for age groups beyond the standard scope.
15.4.3. Survey questionnaire – additional questions at national level
Additional questions introduced in the national questionnaire in 2024: At national level two additional modules were added. One module on Artificial Intelligence and one on eID. For more details the questionnaire in national language and the translation in English are available in the annex.
15.4.4. Survey questionnaire – deviations
Effects of deviations from the routing used in the Eurostat model questionnaire: No effects known.
17.1. Data revision - policy
If a data revision would be necessary the revision paper of Statistics Austria would be in force, available on the Internet in German only. Revisions politik von statistik Austria.
17.2. Data revision - practice
There are no revisions to report.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not relevant
18.1. Source data
The source of the raw data is described with more details in the paragraphs below.
18.1.1. Sampling frame
The “Zentrales Melderegister (ZMR)” is used as sampling frame for the Continuous Labour Force Survey. A sub-sample of this survey was drawn for the ICT survey.
18.1.2. Sampling design
The sample of the ICT survey is a sub-sample of the Austrian continuous Labour Force survey (LFS) of the second quarter of the respective survey year. The sample frame is the Austrian Central Population Register in which all persons are registered who have their main residence on Austrian territory at the time of the sample selection.
The LFS is a one-stage stratified random sample of dwellings. Each NUTS-2 region forms a separate stratum. The gross sample size of the LFS for each quarter consists of 22 000 dwellings. Participation in the LFS is compulsory. The gross sample of the ICT usage survey is a subsample of the LFS sample with at least one household member between 16 and 74 years. Again the sampling procedure is random and stratified by NUTS-2 regions. Participation in the ICT survey is voluntary.
According to the concept of the Labour Force Survey in Austria, the survey will be conducted in a mixed mode design. Respondents will be asked to do a web-questionnaire following the principle of a mobile first approach (responsive design). In a second step non-responder will be asked for a CATI-interview.
18.1.3. Net effective sample size
Restricted from publication18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annual
18.3. Data collection
1) Methods used to gather data:
Approximately 65% of the interviews were done online. The remaining 35% were done by telephone interviews.
2) Short description of the survey method:
The survey was conducted in a sequential-mixed-mode-design. In a first step respondents were asked to do a web-questionnaire – in a second step non-responder were asked for a CATI-interview.
3) Variables completed from an external source:
Household income data was gathered from administrative registers.
18.4. Data validation
The survey was carried out with a web questionnaire (CAWI) and telephone interviews (CATI). By using computer-assisted interview-techniques a system of checks and warnings operative directly in the interview situation was applied. Raw data was transformed into the default structure according to the EU code book using statistical software (R).The test procedures were based on the predetermined checking rules provided from Eurostat. These plausibility checks were undertaken in order to verify that the data respectively the codes do not contain errors. A further step of data verification consisted in time series checks.
18.5. Data compilation
Missing data was imputed by the k nearest neighbour technique. Non-response-bias was corrected by grossing up procedures.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
For the target indicator "Individuals having ordered goods or services for private use over the internet in the last 12 months" (individuals who ticked 'Within the last 3 months' or 'Between 3 months and a year ago' in the question “When did you last buy or order goods or services for private use over the internet?”:
Imputation rate (% of observations): 0%
Imputation rate (share of estimate): 0%
18.5.2. Use of imputation methods
Methods used to impute item non-response: Imputations were only necessary in exceptional cases. However, missing data was imputed by the k nearest neighbours technique.
18.5.3. Grossing-up procedures
Grossing up procedures have been applied to Individuals and/or Households:
Individuals and Households. See below for details.
Description of the weighting procedures:
The weights are calculated in two steps. First, a basic weight is calculated for each household by dividing the number of households with at least one person between 16 and 74 years as estimated from the LFS/micro-census by the corresponding net sample size of households in the ICT usage survey. This basic weight for households is calculated for each stratum separately. The basic person weight is calculated as basic household weight times the number of persons between 16 and 74 in the household divided by the number of responding persons between 16
and 74 in the household.
In the second step the weights are adjusted by iterative proportional fitting so that some resulting distributions of the ICT usage survey are in accordance to the same distributions resulting from the LFS. The distributions used for adjusting the basic weights are:
- Number of persons between 16 and 74 tabulated by NUTS-2 regions, age and sex.
- Number of persons between 16 and 74 tabulated by NUTS-2 regions and nationality.
- Number of households with at least one person between 16 and 74 tabulated by NUTS-2 regions and household size.
18.6. Adjustment
Not relevant
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not relevant
The EU survey on the use of ICT in households and by individuals is an annual survey conducted since 2002. In Austria, it has been conducted since 2002.
In 2024, the survey collects data on the access to information and communication technologies (ICT), on the use of the internet, e-government and e-commerce, internet of things, as well as green ICT.
The survey is collecting data of internet users, individuals who have used the internet in the three months prior to the survey.
This annual survey is used to benchmark ICT-driven developments, both by following developments for core variables over time and by looking in greater depth at other aspects at a specific point in time. While the survey initially concentrated on access and connectivity issues, its scope has subsequently been extended to cover a variety of subjects (for example, the use of internet, e-government, e-commerce, internet of things and green ICT) and socio-economic analysis (such as regional diversity, gender specificity, differences in age, education and the employment situation). The scope of the survey with respect to different technologies is also adapted to cover new product groups and means of delivering communication technologies to end-users.
For more details on the methodology applicable in each survey year, please consult the Compiler's Manual for the respective year.
Deviations from standard ICT concepts: No deviations from standard ICT concepts at national level.
Households and Individuals
In the ICT usage survey, the target population for the different statistical units is:
- Individuals: all individuals aged 16 to 74;
- Households: all (private) households with at least one member aged 16 to 74.
Target population composed of households and/or individuals:
- Number of households: 3,7 million
- Number of individuals: 6,8 million
The full territory of Austria is covered by the survey.
For most questions the reference period is the last three months before the interview. Questions in the modules on e-government and eID refer to the 'last year' before the interview.
Deviation from this statement: No deviations at national level.
The survey was conducted with a large sample size. The representativity of the sample and the quality of the sample frame were high. Furthermore, various actions were taken to reduce non-sampling errors. Therefore, overall accuracy was estimated to be high.
Percentages of ‘Households’ and Percentages of ‘Individuals’
Missing data was imputed by the k nearest neighbour technique. Non-response-bias was corrected by grossing up procedures.
The source of the raw data is described with more details in the paragraphs below.
Annual
Date of data dissemination at national level: October 2024
There is no problem of comparability across the country’s regions.
Possible limitations in the use of data for comparisons over time: No limitations known.