1.1. Contact organisation
Federale Overheidsdienst Economie, KMO, Middenstand en Energie, Statbel (Algemene Directie Statistiek / Statistics Belgium)
Service Public Fédéral Economie, PME, Classes moyennes et Energie, Statbel (Direction générale Statistique / Statistics Belgium)
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Unit: Sociale statistieken / Statistiques sociales
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR1.5. Contact mail address
Statbel
Directorate General Statistics - Statistics Belgium
North Gate II
Boulevard Roi Albert II 16
1000 Brussels
Belgium
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR2.1. Metadata last certified
3 January 20252.2. Metadata last posted
6 January 20252.3. Metadata last update
6 January 20253.1. Data description
The EU survey on the use of ICT in households and by individuals is an annual survey conducted since 2002. In Belgium, it has been conducted since 2005.
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: Enquête naar het ICT-gebruik bij huishoudens en individuen / L’enquête sur l’utilisation des TIC auprès des ménages et des individus.
English: Survey on ICT usage by households and individuals.
Questionnaire(s) in national language(s) and the translation in English are available in the Annexes below.
Annexes:
Dutch questionnaire
French questionnaire
English questionnaire
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
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
The ICT survey in households and by individuals also covers those households having at least one member in the age group 75 to 89 years old.
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
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: 4711000
- Number of individuals: 8550000
Additional target population composed of households and/or individuals to extend the age range to individuals aged 75 to 89:
- Number of households: 505000 (households with at least one member aged 75 to 89 and none aged 16 to 74)
- Number of individuals: 864000
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 | 75 to 89 |
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). | 33275 | 2266731 |
| Estimate of the resulting percentage of under-coverage (non-covered population compared to the total country), if applicable | 0.6% | 16.2% |
3.7. Reference area
Households and individuals living in the German Community are excluded from the survey due to language issues; they comprise +/- 0.7% of the target population.
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:
Background variables are extracted from Labour Force Survey (LFS) held at the same time as ICT HH survey.
Survey runs from January to June (with reminders until September)
Due to a lower response rate since COVID (which has not yet returned to pre-COVID-levels) Statbel selected an extra batch of households of the LFS. Here there is a time gap between the background variables of LFS, referring to the last quarter of 2023 and the ICT variables, referring to the 2nd quarter of 2024. This will lead to minor errors in the main activity status variable. About 25% of the households are thus affected.
5.1. Survey period
From 9 January 2024 to 3 September 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, the survey is not mandatory
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Access to household information is restricted to data collection unit.
Data processing units receive microdata that do not allow identifying households and individuals.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Law of 4 July 1962 regarding official statistics and protection of data (in French only)
Privacy policy explained at Statbel's web site
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
The dissemination of pseudonymised study data is strictly regulated. The procedure is described on Stabel's website: Microdata for research.
In order to get the permission of Statbel's Data Protection Officer team and finally as data controller, Statbel's director-general, the third party should follow a procedure and sufficiently motivate the proportionality and relevance of its request. The more confidential the information requested, the better the need for it should be motivated.
8.1. Release calendar
The release calendar is publicly available under expected figures.
8.2. Release calendar access
8.3. Release policy - user access
Press release at same time as publication of aggregated data on website: ICT usage in households
All data are accessible to all users at the same time.
Annual
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
News release took place on 28th November 2023: A third of people over 74 have never been online
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Look under figures. Static excel tables as well as dynamic tables are available.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Dynamic tables are accessible at ICT usage in households | Statbel.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
741 consultations (2024, March to December)
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
It is possible to obtain microdata (for non commercial purposes) after approval of a confidentiality contract: microdata
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Ad hoc applications for aggregated data are processed, all data are free to users (unless an exceptional amount of time is needed to prepare the data).
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
98 consultations (2024, March to December))
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Further metadata is available in pdf format on "ICT usage in households" page, Documents section.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Information not available.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Quality indicators are calculated for all statistics on a yearly basis. Overview of the most recent quality assessment in annex.
11.1. Quality assurance
Quality assessment is annually performed as mentioned under concept 10.7. Before publication all data are examined by the validation unit.
This includes checks on internal coherence of results and comparison with last year results and publication of similar data by other institutes.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Relevance: medium high, 2 stakeholders receive microdata, +/- 30 ad hoc demands for detailed information per year.
Accuracy: medium, standard error +/- 0.5% for total figures, figures for multiple breakdowns offer only rough estimates.
Timeliness: high, data are available to public by November of reference year, ahead of most statistics.
Punctuality: high, data delivery within deadline set by Eurostat.
Comparability: high, time series deliver plausible trends, figures are mostly within the range of the figures of neighbouring countries.
Coherence: no other (high quality) data source available.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The regional statistical offices Statistics Flanders, Statistics Wallonia and Statistics Brussels publish regional figures; the Ministry of Economy publishes a barometer of digital society and the Foundation Roi Baudoin publishes a barometer of digital inclusion (in cooperation with university UCL).
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
User satisfaction is not systematically measured.
12.3. Completeness
All variables have been provided.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
99.96%
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Random error due to sample size.
Non response bias is compensated/eliminated by recalibrating weights, a residual bias is possible.
13.2. Sampling error
The sampling error reflects the fact that only a particular sample was surveyed rather than the entire population. It is estimated by the standard error and can be expressed by the square root of the estimate of the sampling variance.
It is estimated with the Taylor linearisation method using the Poulpe tool.
The effects of unit non-response and calibration have been taken into account when calculating the standard error.
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): 4694
- Estimated proportion (in %): 76.4
- Standard error (in percentage points): 0.61
Details of the breakdowns are available in document Standard errors-Mandatory-Optional questions_BE-2024 in the Annexes below.
13.3. Non-sampling error
See more details on non-sampling error below.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Source of the frame is National register of inhabitants of Belgium.
Frame is photo of register taken about a month before the start of the survey period.
Undercoverage due to illegal inhabitants but hard to quantify or assess the bias.
Further undercoverage due to exclusion of inhabitants of German speaking community (+/- 0.7% of total population), resulting bias should be negligible.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Over-coverage should be very low. Apart from errors in the register (hard to quantify) there are cases of people age 16-74 at the time of establishing the frame that have turned 75 at the time of completing the survey.
This leads to an over-coverage of +/- 0.3%.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not requested in the ICT survey.
13.3.2. Measurement error
- Measurement errors: Unknown measurement errors; of course people can deliberately report false values but these errors are hard to detect or quantify.
- Questionnaire design and testing: The questionnaire is controlled for routing and other errors by a test panel before launching the survey.
- Interviewer training: Not applicable, as there are no interviewers involved in the survey.
- Proxy interview rates: 7.2% (self-declared).
13.3.3. Non response error
Information about non-respondents: Non-response is significantly higher among young people and individuals with a non-Belgian citizenship.
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: 34.3%
- Individuals (aged 16-74): 33.6%
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) |
20084 | 19227 | 1694 | |
| 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. |
79 | 75 | 7 | |
| Number of eligible elements [C] Gross sample size corrected of the ineligible cases |
20005 | 19152 | 1687 | |
| 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. |
6854 | 6440 | 583 | |
| 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. |
34.3% | 33.6% | 34.6% |
Comments, if any:
13.3.3.1.2. Unit non-response – methods, minimization and substitution
- Methods used for dealing with unit non-response: The ICT survey is linked to LFS, interviewer of LFS survey explains an invitation for ICT survey is following; a valid ICT survey is remunerated to motivate the interviewer; up to 2 postal reminders are sent
- Methods used for minimizing unit non-response: Data are calibrated; weights are adapted in order to attain a random sample, background variables (household composition geographical area, age group, ..) are used to calculate the calibration weights
- Substitution permitted: No
- Substitution rate (in %): Not applicable
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Items with low response rates (observed rates in %):
No variables with item non response > 10%
Non response for household income = +/- 2 %
13.3.4. Processing error
None.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable
14.1. Timeliness
Date of data dissemination at national level: Press release and dissemination of results was issued on 28th of November 2024.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Restricted from publication14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Restricted from publication14.2. Punctuality
-2 days
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
-2 days (99.5%)
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: There have been no major changes in methodology or survey set-up that would impact the comparability over time considerably.
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_BE-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_BE-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:
Details of the questions are in document Standard errors-Mandatory-Optional questions_BE-2024 available in the Annexes below.
- reasons for not having access to internet at home.
- use of generative AI.
- frequency of ordering online.
- amount of ordering online.
- attitude towards digital life.
15.4.4. Survey questionnaire – deviations
Effects of deviations from the routing used in the Eurostat model questionnaire: The first question 'do you use the internet several times a day?' is a deviation of the Eurostat questionnaire and led to a higher proportion of individuals stating to be online several times a day.
17.1. Data revision - policy
The general revision policy of Statistics Belgium.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Ad hoc revisions occur when detecting errors deemed considerably affecting the figures. No revisions so far.
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 sample is a subsample of the sample of the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The LFS is a household sample survey which provides quarterly results on labour participation of people aged fifteen years and over, as well as on persons outside the labour force.
To construct the LFS household frame the ‘Belgisch Rijksregister’ (Belgian National Register) is used, a database with population data for each resident of Belgium, regardless of the nationality. This register also includes for each resident of Belgium household characteristics, as well as geographical information (the region (NUTS 1 level), province (NUTS 2 level), arrondissement (NUTS 3 level), municipality, address, …), but also the sex, the date of birth, …
The LFS household frame population consists of the non-collective households with at least one member aged 15 to 89 years. The exclusion of residents in collective housing (care homes, prisons, monasteries …) reduces the sample size with +/- 0.5%.
Statbel's gross sample households for the survey on ICT usage in households consists of the responding LFS sample households selected for the first or second quarter of the concerning survey year (households with at least one member aged 16 to 89 years). Due to a lowering reponse rate the responding LFS sample households of the fourth quarter of the preceding year have been added since 2021.
The survey is voluntary.
18.1.2. Sampling design
Simple random sampling in two stages. In the first stage statistical sectors (small geographical areas) are selected, the second stage selects the households.
One person, aged 16 to 74, is selected at random per household.
Since 2024 we extended the age limit to include individuals aged 75 to 89 for which one person in this age bracket is also selected at random (provided such a person is present in the household).
There is no longitudinal component, this year's sampling is independent form last year's.
18.1.3. Net effective sample size
Restricted from publication18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annual
18.3. Data collection
- Methods used to gather data: CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing) and PAPI (Paper-And-Pencil interviewing).
- Short description of the survey method: Self-administered web survey (CAWI) or self-administered mail survey (PAPI): in 2024, 58.7% CAWI and 41.3% PAPI.
- Variables completed from an external source: All background variables, except for household income, are derived from the Labour Force Survey, household income is calculated based of fiscal register.
18.4. Data validation
All data are subject to internal validation team before publication and dissemination.
The criteria for validation are (among others):
- no inconsistencies between subdata;
- plausible evolution compared with last year data;
- plausible data compared with other EU countries.
18.5. Data compilation
Imputation is limited to 2 variables and for these the imputation rate is 2 to 3%. The impact on the results is minimal.
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:
18.5.3. Grossing-up procedures
Grossing up procedures have been applied to Individuals.
Description of the weighting procedures:
Calibration with margins (made with the software CALMAR), at individual level with truncated linear method. The model is:
Region * (Sex + Age + Belgian + Household size) + Income + Education level
with the 3 Belgian regions, 6 levels of age (<24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, >64), a Boolean variable of Belgian nationality, 5 quantiles of income and the size of the household (max 5).
18.6. Adjustment
Not relevant
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not relevant
No further comments.
The EU survey on the use of ICT in households and by individuals is an annual survey conducted since 2002. In Belgium, it has been conducted since 2005.
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
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: 4711000
- Number of individuals: 8550000
Additional target population composed of households and/or individuals to extend the age range to individuals aged 75 to 89:
- Number of households: 505000 (households with at least one member aged 75 to 89 and none aged 16 to 74)
- Number of individuals: 864000
Households and individuals living in the German Community are excluded from the survey due to language issues; they comprise +/- 0.7% of the target population.
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:
Background variables are extracted from Labour Force Survey (LFS) held at the same time as ICT HH survey.
Survey runs from January to June (with reminders until September)
Due to a lower response rate since COVID (which has not yet returned to pre-COVID-levels) Statbel selected an extra batch of households of the LFS. Here there is a time gap between the background variables of LFS, referring to the last quarter of 2023 and the ICT variables, referring to the 2nd quarter of 2024. This will lead to minor errors in the main activity status variable. About 25% of the households are thus affected.
Random error due to sample size.
Non response bias is compensated/eliminated by recalibrating weights, a residual bias is possible.
Percentages of ‘Households’ and Percentages of ‘Individuals’
Imputation is limited to 2 variables and for these the imputation rate is 2 to 3%. The impact on the results is minimal.
The source of the raw data is described with more details in the paragraphs below.
Annual
Date of data dissemination at national level: Press release and dissemination of results was issued on 28th of November 2024.
There is no problem of comparability across the country’s regions.
Possible limitations in the use of data for comparisons over time: There have been no major changes in methodology or survey set-up that would impact the comparability over time considerably.