ICT usage in households and by individuals (isoc_i)

1.1. Contact organisation

Statistics Netherlands (CBS)

1.2. Contact organisation unit

Statistical Analysis Department

1.3. Contact name

Confidential because of GDPR

1.4. Contact person function

Confidential because of GDPR

1.5. Contact mail address

CBS-weg 11

6412 EX Heerlen, the Netherlands

1.6. Contact email address

Confidential because of GDPR

1.7. Contact phone number

Confidential because of GDPR

1.8. Contact fax number

Confidential because of GDPR

2.1. Metadata last certified

17 December 2025

2.2. Metadata last posted

17 December 2025

2.3. Metadata last update

17 December 2025

3.1. Data description

The EU survey on the use of ICT in households and by individuals is an annual survey conducted since 2002. In the Netherlands, it has been conducted since 2005.

In 2025, the survey collects data on the access to information and communication technologies (ICT), on the use of the internet, e-government use of electronic identification (eID) and e-commerce as well as e-skills and privacy and protection of personal data.

3.1.1. Survey name in national and English languages

National language: Onderzoek ICT gebruik bij huishoudens en personen

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.

Annexes:
Questionnaire - Onderzoek ICT gebruik bij huishoudens en personen (in Dutch)
Questionnaire translated in English

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 classification is used

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. Individuals aged 75 to 89 are covered by some countries on voluntary basis. 

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

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, use of eID, e-commerce, e-skills and privacy and protection of personal data) 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; optionally 75-to 89.
• households: all (private) households with at least one member aged 16 to 74; optionally with at least one member aged 75 to 89, but no member aged 16 to 74. 

Target population composed of households and/or individuals:

• Number of households with at least one member aged 16-74:  7.4 million households with at least one member aged 16-74. Date register: 1 April 2025.
• Number of individuals aged 16-74: 13.2 million individuals aged 16-74 living in private households. Date register: 1 April 2025.
• Number of households with at least one member aged 75 to 89, but no member aged 16 to 74: 1 million households with at least one member aged 75-89, but no member aged 16 to 74. Date register: 1 April 2025.
• Number of individuals aged 75-89: 1.6 million individuals aged 75-89 living in private households. Date register: 1 April 2025.

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	12-15
Individuals aged 75-89?		X	75-89
Individuals older than 89?		X	90 and older

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 mandatory scope of the survey (for example individuals younger than 16 or older than 74; households with all members over 74 years old).	No additional households for the age group 12-15 years 1.0 million households with only members over 74 years old	0.8 million individuals aged 12-15  1.6 million individuals older than 74
Approximate number of units outside the age scope 16 to 89, if the optional age scope 75 to 89 is included.	No additional households for the age group 12-15 years	0.8 million individuals aged 12-15
Estimate of the resulting percentage of under-coverage (non-covered population compared to the total country), if applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable

3.7. Reference area

The geographic scope of the survey is the Netherlands (excluding the islands in the Caribbean that are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands).

Territorial coverage: The sample covers the total population in the Netherlands, aged 12 years and older, living in private households and registered in the Municipal Population Register. This register is the sampling frame for statistics in the Netherlands.

3.8. Coverage - Time

Year 2025

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 deviation

5.1. Survey period

Survey period: from 25 February to 10 June 2025

6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements

The legal basis for the 2025 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) 2024/2182 of 2 September 2024 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 2025 in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2019/1700 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L - 2024/2182, 3 September 2024) and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/2515 of 9 July 2024 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 2025 (OJ L, 2024/2515, 26 September 2024).

Complementary national legislation constituting the legal basis for the survey on the use of ICT in households and by individuals:  No complementary national [NL] legislation

6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing

The microdata of the 2025-survey will not be shared with data producing agencies or other agencies. There is no agreement to facilitate data sharing and exchange between data producing agencies within the national statistical system.

7.1. Confidentiality - policy

Statistics Netherlands is legally bound to apply strict confidentiality rules concerning the dissemination of statistical results. These rules are fully applied to the figures published as a result of this survey on the ICT use.

Furthermore, Statistics Netherlands secures (personal) data with technical and organizational measures that are necessary to protect the data as effectively as possible. The most important measures can be found here: Privacy | CBS

7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment

Rules applied for treating the data set to ensure statistical confidentiality and prevent unauthorised disclosure, can also be found here: Privacy | CBS

8.1. Release calendar

There is no release calendar available.

Two tables with results of 2025 are published online (only in Dutch):

• StatLine - Internettoegang en internetactiviteiten; persoonskenmerken
• StatLine - Internetaankopen; persoonskenmerken

8.2. Release calendar access

Not applicable

8.3. Release policy - user access

The mission of Statistics Netherlands (CBS) is to compile official statistics and to publish the results. CBS makes these results accessible to the public through various channels. Information about the publication policy of Statistics Netherlands can be found here: Publication policy | CBS

Annual

10.1. Dissemination format - News release

Statistics Netherlands publishes the national results on the website of Statistics Netherlands.

In addition, several press releases are written annually.

10.2. Dissemination format - Publications

Statistics Netherlands publishes the national results on the website of Statistics Netherlands. In addition, a publication about the main results is written annually. This publication is a chapter in the national publication on ICT usage in the Netherlands.

10.3. Dissemination format - online database

Statistics Netherlands publishes the national results on the website of Statistics Netherlands. Two online tables (on e-commerce and online activities) are available:

• StatLine - Internettoegang en internetactiviteiten; persoonskenmerken
• StatLine - Internetaankopen; persoonskenmerken

10.3.1. Data tables - consultations

Not available

10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access

The anonymized micro-dataset of 2025 will be made available to a selected number of national research institutes for possible research in the field of ICT.

10.5. Dissemination format - other

No other dissemination

10.5.1. Metadata - consultations

Not available

10.6. Documentation on methodology

A brief research description can be found here (only in Dutch):

ICT-gebruik van huishoudens en personen (ICT) | CBS

10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate

All questions are answered.

10.7. Quality management - documentation

Plausibility analyses have been conducted to determine whether the figures for 2025 align with the series. There are no implausible findings. See also (in Dutch only):

• StatLine - Internettoegang en internetactiviteiten; persoonskenmerken
• StatLine - Internetaankopen; persoonskenmerken

11.1. Quality assurance

The Methodological Manual provides guidelines and standards for the implementation of the surveys in the Member States. It is updated every year according to the changed contents of the model questionnaires.

In order to ensure the quality of the data, the net sample size has been increased. From 2022 onwards Statistics Netherlands increased the net sample size to 5 000 (also to improve the quality of the breakdowns).

Some additional actions are also carried out in order to reduce unit non-response: sending sufficient reminders, lengthening the CAWI data collection period, dividing the CAWI fieldwork into three smaller portions instead of one portion, using incentives in the form of a giftcard/smartwatch lottery. Also, the expended weighting factors partially correct biases caused by unit non-response for target variables.

The rules of Statistics Netherlands regarding quality assurance were applied for this survey.

11.2. Quality management - assessment

At European level, the recommended use of the annual Eurostat model questionnaire aims at improving comparability of the results among the countries that conduct the survey. Moreover, the Methodological Manual provides guidelines and clarifications for the implementation of the surveys in the Member States.

The whole project (data collection, data processing, and data analysing) has two project managers and several statisticians/researchers.

The project can be supported - if necessary - by a senior statistical researcher within the unit and - also if needed - by the methodological or IT department of Statistics Netherlands.

No part of the work was subcontracted.

The data collection on ICT usage is regular. Possible problems can be:

• A low response rate: this is diverted by sending sufficient reminders, lengthening the CAWI data collection period, dividing the CAWI fieldwork into smaller portions instead of one portion, using incentives in the form of iPad lottery, and monitoring the fieldwork on a daily base.
• A misunderstanding by respondents of certain new questions. In the worst case it might be decided that the results of this question(s) will not be published.
• Emergency (sickness, not meeting deadlines etc.): there are complementary resources available.

12.1. Relevance - User Needs

Users of the national datatables, presented at StatLine, are policymakers, researchers and journalists. The need is reliable data on ICT usage by individuals for policy needs and for research. But also students and citizens can access the tables at StatLine.

Special requested information, if it is available and reliable, can be given to users (no dataset).

12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction

Not available

12.3. Completeness

All mandatory variables are provided to Eurostat.

12.3.1. Data completeness - rate

100%

13.1. Accuracy - overall

The accuracy of data collected with a sample survey is affected by measurement errors and non-response errors.

Measurement errors may arise if questions can be understood and interpreted in different ways or if the respondents do not give the requested information. The means by which measurement errors are reduced are the careful planning of the questionnaire forms, testing the form and interviewer training.

The survey’s non-response errors are classified into unit non-response and item non-response or partial non-response errors. Unit non-response means that target persons cannot be interviewed at all because they cannot be reached or refuse to be interviewed. Weighting coefficients are used to correct unit non-response.

Item non-response rate was not a problem as refusal to answer was not allowed.

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. The estimation of the sampling variance should ideally take into account the sampling design (e.g. the stratification).

More information on methodology for calculating precision estimates is detailed in the paragraphs below.

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):   5256 (16 to 75-year-olds) / 5646 (16 to 90-year-olds)
• Estimated proportion (in %):   93,8% (of the 16 to 75-year-olds) / 90,5% (of the 16 to 90-year-olds)
• Standard error (in percentage points):   0,3% (16 to 75-year-olds) / 0,4% (16 to 90-year-olds)

Details of the breakdowns are available in document INFOSOC_HHNSI_A_2025_NL in the Annexes below. 

13.3. Non-sampling error

See more details on non-sampling error below.

13.3.1. Coverage error

The sampling frame for the social statistics surveys is the Dutch Population Register, which is updated every month. For the ICT survey, a two-stage sample is used.

13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate

Not applicable

13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion

Not requested in the ICT survey.

13.3.2. Measurement error

1. Measurement errors: The sample survey is designed to meet the objectives as defined by the EU: (1) Dissemination of the results at the desired level of detail, (2) Anticipated estimated standard error of the results for the overall population and for the subgroups. The survey design is annually adjusted, based on the response rate of the previous year and the estimated standard error of the target variable
2. Questionnaire design and testing: The questionnaire design consists of the CAWI and CATI mode. Before the fieldwork starts, both modes are tested and evaluated extensively. Also the smartphone design was used and tested. At the end of the questionnaire respondents can give a short evaluation of the questionnaire. 
3. Interviewer training: CATI interviewers got instruction about the questionnaire 2025 and followed an online training course about ICT 2025. The data-collection department is responsible for the interviewers.
4. Proxy interview rates: No proxy

13.3.3. Non response error

Information about non-respondents:  For main characteristics of non-respondents: see detailed sections below.

The weighting model for the 16-74 age group is as follows:

• Marital status(4) + Gender(2) × {Age(16) + Age(4) × Marital status(2)} + Household size(5) + Ethnicity(3) + Income(4) +
• Urban density(5) + RegionPlus(16) + NUTS1(4) × Age(4) + Number of households

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 with at least one member aged 16 to 74: Not applicable
• Households with at least one member aged 75 to 89, but no member aged 16 to 74: Not applicable
• Individuals (aged 16-74): 8741 non-respondents / 14344 (total sample size) = 60,9%
• Individuals (aged 75-89): 580 non-respondents / 1219 (total sample size) = 47,6%

13.3.3.1.1. Details of unit non-response rate

	Number of households with at least one member aged 16-74	Number of households with at least one member aged 75-89, but no member aged 16-74	Number of individuals aged 16-74	Number of individuals aged 75-89	Number of individuals (< 16)	Number of individuals (> 89)
Gross sample [A] The number of households/individuals initially selected from the sampling frame (if not applicable, indicate why below the table)	Not applicable	Not applicable	14344	1219	Not in scope	Not in scope
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.			26	6
Number of eligible elements [C] Gross sample size corrected of the ineligible cases			14318	1213
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.			5603	637
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.			39,1%	52,5%

 

Comments, if any:

13.3.3.1.2. Unit non-response – methods, minimization and substitution

• Methods used for dealing with unit non-response: Statistics Netherlands uses calibration/weighting to control for non-response. Weighting procedure individuals: The subgroups for which weighting factors are calculated are based on the demographic variables: gender, age, marital status, urban density and region. These weighting factors partially correct biases caused by unit non-response for target variables, such as the use of internet and e-commerce. The weighting factor for households is the quotient of: the individual (aged 16-74) weighting factor / household size of individuals aged 16-74 in the population.

The weighting model for the 16-74 age group is as follows:

Marital status(4) + Gender(2) × {Age(16) + Age(4) × Marital status(2)} + Household size(5) + Ethnicity(3) + Income(4) +

Urban density(5) + RegionPlus(16) + NUTS1(4) × Age(4) + Number of households

• Methods used for minimizing unit non-response:  Data collection modes: A combination of data collection modes is applied. In the first step (CAWI: Computer Assisted Web Interviewing) is used for interviewing. In the second step (CATI: Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) is used. For the phone coverage, phone registers are used.

The policy of Statistics Netherlands is to apply CAWI mode in surveys as much as possible. This is in line with the European standards. However, the response-rate of CAWI is lower than the CAPI/CATI modes. This is also the reason that SN has a follow-up mode in social statistics surveys. In addition, SN can reach also respondents by using CATI who do not (or cannot: not enough skills) to participate online.

Data collection process: From 2014 onwards, Statistics Netherlands introduces the CAWI data collection mode in the survey. People are invited to fill in the questionnaires online (invitation letters are sent with codes to log in). In case of non-response (after two reminders/rappels), people are phoned (CATI), if telephone numbers are available. In addition, different actions are addressed during the fieldwork in order to reduce non-response, such as lengthening the CAWI period, dividing the CAWI portion into smaller ones and using an incentive.

• Substitution permitted:  No substitution, no proxy interview
• Substitution rate (in %):  No substitution

13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate

Items with low response rates (observed rates in %): "Don't know" as answer option is not allowed for the survey questions. Only for some background variables. No question/variable has a response rate below 95%.

As every year, also in 2025, there are some missing values for some background and breakdown variables: ISCO2D and NACE1D.

It is an essential note for the breakdown variables: if the total is calculated by summing up variables with missing values, there will be always differences between the results of the summing up and the total population without summing up, because of the missing values.

13.3.4. Processing error

Data quality control:
Item non-response is very low, and is only allowed for some background variables (every year). Data processing is mainly automated. Data-checks are developed for new modules. Standard error analyses is conducted in order to ensure the sampling remain below the prescribed limits.

13.3.5. Model assumption error

Not applicable

14.1. Timeliness

Date of data dissemination at national level:

End of fieldwork: 10 June 2025

First official delivery in EDAMIS: 25 September 2025

14.1.1. Time lag - first result

Restricted from publication

14.1.2. Time lag - final result

Restricted from publication

14.2. Punctuality

See detailed selections below

14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication

Target day: 5 October 2025
The first data set was sent to Eurostat on 25 September 2025.
Final delivery: 1 October 2025.
4 days before deadline

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

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 2025:

Table 15.4.1. of document INFOSOC_HHNSI_A_NL_2025 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) 2024/2515 of 9 July 2024. 

15.4.2. Survey questionnaire – optional questions

Adoption of OPTIONAL questions and items in the Eurostat model questionnaire 2025: Table 15.4.2. of document INFOSOC_HHNSI_A_NL_2025 in the Annexes lists the optional questions from the annual Eurostat model questionnaire 2025 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 2025:  A question has been added about familiarity with digital radio and a question about the use of digital radio.

Details of the questions are in document INFOSOC_HHNSI_A_NL_2025 available in the Annexes below.

15.4.4. Survey questionnaire – deviations

Effects of deviations from the routing used in the Eurostat model questionnaire: No deviations from Eurostat’s routing otherwise as far as is known.

Restricted from publication

17.1. Data revision - policy

No revisions are planned. Data have a final status from the first time they are published.

17.2. Data revision - practice

In case we need to correct a value, we republish the tables on Statline with an explanation what has changed.

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

Name and short description of the sampling frame or register used:

The sample covers the total population in the Netherlands, aged 12 years and older, living in private households and registered in the Basic Registration of Persons (BRP). This population register is the sampling frame for statistics in the Netherlands.

The sampling frame is the Basic Registration of Persons (BRP). This population register contains all individuals who are registered in Dutch municipalities. It does not include homeless people or people living in institutions.

Advantage of using the Basic Registration of Persons is the actuality of information from the registered individuals. Information about birth, death, new addresses, household size is updated weekly and is incorporated in the mentioned register.

As drawing the sample has to be done 2 months before the data collection period, some deviation (such as moving, death) can occur.

18.1.2. Sampling design

The sampling design is a probability design.

The sampling design is not a complex design and can be seen as simple random sampling. Two stages are included.

In the first stage NUTS3 is used as stratification variable. Then municipalities are selected. Large municipalities being selected with a probability of 1. All the other municipalities are selected at random, taking into account the size of the municipalities. In the second stage the number of individuals, as determined for every municipality, are selected. Individuals from 12 years and older are selected.

18.1.3. Net effective sample size

Restricted from publication

18.2. Frequency of data collection

Annual

18.3. Data collection

• Methods used to gather data: A combination of data collection modes is applied. In the first step (CAWI: Computer Assisted Web Interviewing) is used for interviewing. In the second step (CATI: Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) is used. For the phone coverage, phone registers are used.

The policy of Statistics Netherlands is to apply CAWI mode in surveys as much as possible. This is in line with the European standards. However, the response-rate of CAWI is lower than the CAPI/CATI modes. This is also the reason that Statistics Netherlands use a follow-up mode in social statistics surveys. In addition, we can reach also respondents who do not (or cannot: not enough skills) participate online.

• Short description of the survey method: From 2014 onwards, Statistics Netherlands introduces the CAWI data collection mode in the survey. People are invited to fill in the questionnaires online (invitation letters are sent with codes to log in). In case of non-response (after two reminders/rappels), people are phoned (CATI) if telephone numbers are available. In addition, different actions are addressed during the fieldwork in order to reduce unit non-response, such as lengthening the CAWI period, dividing the CAWI portion into smaller ones and using an incentive in the form of a giftcard/smartwatch lottery.
• Variables completed from an external source: Some background characteristics are derived from the Basic Registration of Persons or from other integral registrations.

18.4. Data validation

We use the validation tool provided by Eurostat plus an in-house developed tool for a year to year comparison.

After closing the fieldwork, data files are checked, information is linked to register data, inconsistencies repaired and plausibility checks are done. Furthermore, calibration/weighting takes place, results are compared (year to year check), micro-data is prepared to Eurostat, the microdata will be delivered and results published.

18.5. Data compilation

Not relevant

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): No imputation
• Imputation rate (share of estimate): No imputation

18.5.2. Use of imputation methods

Methods used to impute item non-response: None

18.5.3. Grossing-up procedures

Grossing up procedures have been applied to Individuals and/or Households: The grossing-up procedure for individuals was enclosed in the weighting procedure. All variables used in this procedure are containing the population numbers on 1 April 2025.

Description of the weighting procedures: The subgroups for which weighting factors are calculated are based on the demographic variables and socio-economic variables: gender, age, marital status, ethnicity, income, size of household, urban density and region. These weighting factors partially correct biases caused by unit non-response for target variables, such as the use of internet and e-commerce.

The weighting factor for households is the quotient of: the individual (aged 16-74) weighting factor / household size of individuals aged 16-74 in the population. The weighting model is as follows:

Marital status(4) + Gender(2) × {Age(16) + Age(4) × Marital status(2)} + Household size(5) + Ethnicity(3) + Income(4) +

Urban density(5) + RegionPlus(16) + NUTS1(4) × Age(4) + Number of households

The weighting factor for households is the quotient of: the individual weighting factor / household size of individuals aged 16-74 in the population.

18.6. Adjustment

Not relevant

18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment

Not relevant

As every year, also in 2024, there are some missing values for some background and breakdown variables. It is an essential note for the breakdown variables: if the total is calculated by summing up variables with missing values, there will be always differences between the results of the summing up and the total population without summing up, because of the missing values.

Another important note concerns the weighting factor in the household file. This file contains the households of the 16 to 75-age group, as well as households of the 75 to 90-age group. For both groups seperate weighting factors were developed, but they are combined in the variable HH_WGHT in the household file. Therefore, the household weight will not add up for the total group of 16 to 89-year-olds, but they will for the individual groups (16 to 74 and 75 to 89).

The same applies to the individual file. Also there, the weighting factor for the 16 to 75-age group is combined with the weighting factor for the 75 to 90-age group. As the weighting model for the 75 to 90 age-group is somewhat less detailed due to a lower sample size, it is not recommended to analyze the 16 to 90-group as a whole. 

INFOSOC_HHNSI_A_2025_NL

The EU survey on the use of ICT in households and by individuals is an annual survey conducted since 2002. In the Netherlands, it has been conducted since 2005.

In 2025, the survey collects data on the access to information and communication technologies (ICT), on the use of the internet, e-government use of electronic identification (eID) and e-commerce as well as e-skills and privacy and protection of personal data.

17 December 2025

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, use of eID, e-commerce, e-skills and privacy and protection of personal data) 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; optionally 75-to 89.
• households: all (private) households with at least one member aged 16 to 74; optionally with at least one member aged 75 to 89, but no member aged 16 to 74. 

Target population composed of households and/or individuals:

• Number of households with at least one member aged 16-74:  7.4 million households with at least one member aged 16-74. Date register: 1 April 2025.
• Number of individuals aged 16-74: 13.2 million individuals aged 16-74 living in private households. Date register: 1 April 2025.
• Number of households with at least one member aged 75 to 89, but no member aged 16 to 74: 1 million households with at least one member aged 75-89, but no member aged 16 to 74. Date register: 1 April 2025.
• Number of individuals aged 75-89: 1.6 million individuals aged 75-89 living in private households. Date register: 1 April 2025.

The geographic scope of the survey is the Netherlands (excluding the islands in the Caribbean that are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands).

Territorial coverage: The sample covers the total population in the Netherlands, aged 12 years and older, living in private households and registered in the Municipal Population Register. This register is the sampling frame for statistics in the Netherlands.

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 deviation

The accuracy of data collected with a sample survey is affected by measurement errors and non-response errors.

Measurement errors may arise if questions can be understood and interpreted in different ways or if the respondents do not give the requested information. The means by which measurement errors are reduced are the careful planning of the questionnaire forms, testing the form and interviewer training.

The survey’s non-response errors are classified into unit non-response and item non-response or partial non-response errors. Unit non-response means that target persons cannot be interviewed at all because they cannot be reached or refuse to be interviewed. Weighting coefficients are used to correct unit non-response.

Item non-response rate was not a problem as refusal to answer was not allowed.

Percentages of ‘Households’ and Percentages of ‘Individuals’

Not relevant

The source of the raw data is described with more details in the paragraphs below.

Annual

Date of data dissemination at national level:

End of fieldwork: 10 June 2025

First official delivery in EDAMIS: 25 September 2025

There is no problem of comparability across the country’s regions.

Possible limitations in the use of data for comparisons over time:  No limitations