1.1. Contact organisation
Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO)
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Division WI (Economy), Section WSA (Economic structure and analysis)
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Office fédéral de la Statistique
Espace de l'Europe 10
CH - 2010 Neuchâtel
SWITZERLAND
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
24 June 2024
2.2. Metadata last posted
24 June 2024
2.3. Metadata last update
24 June 2024
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 Switzerland, it has been conducted every two years since 2017. Previously it has been carried out in 2010 and 2014.
In 2023, the survey collects data on the access to information and communication technologies (ICT), on the use of the internet, e-commerce, e-skills, as well as privacy and protection of personal data. In Switzerland, few data on e-government and no data on eID has been collected.
3.1.1. Survey name in national and English languages
National languages:
- German: Omnibus 2023:Erhebung zur Internetnutzung (OMN2023)
- French: Omnibus 2023: Enquête sur l’utilisation d’Internet (OMN2023)
- Italian: Omnibus 2023: Indagine sull’utilizzo di Internet (OMN2023)
- English: Omnibus 2023: Internet use in households (OMN2023)
Questionnaire(s) in national language(s) - German, French and Italian - are available in the Annexes.
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 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;
- No information about household income is provided for Switzerland
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
Individuals aged 15 to 88 and Households with at least one member aged 15 to 88
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 (biennial in Switzerland) 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, eID, and 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 so as 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 (Methodological Manual - Information society statistics).
Deviations from standard ICT concepts:
- The e-government question has been kept identical as in the 2021 survey. Moreover, the definition of e-governement is more restrictive for Switzerland, taking into account only the public administrations and not the public services like schools or health services.
- The reference period for financial activities has been kept as in the 2021 survey : 12 months; as this kind of activity, taking a loan for instance, is by nature much less frequent.
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: 3’483’110
- Number of individuals: 6’400’039
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 | 15 | |
| Individuals older than 74? | X |
75-88 |
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). | 656'732 | 2'412'689 |
| Estimate of the resulting percentage of under-coverage (non-covered population compared to the total country), if applicable | 16% | 27% |
3.7. Reference area
Switzerland (NUTS1) and its 7 big regions (NUTS2)
3.8. Coverage - Time
Year 2023
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, that is from mid-January to the End of April. Questions in the modules on e-government refer to the 'last year' before the interview.
Deviation from this assertion: question E12 on financial activities refers to the last 12 months before the interview
5.1. Survey period
From 12 April until 30 July 2023
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
The legal basis for the 2023 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, 14.10.2019, p. 1), as implemented by the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1399 of 1 August 2022 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 2023 in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2019/1700 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 213, 16.08.2022, pp. 13-56) and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2279 of 1 August 2022 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 2023.
As this legal basis is not included in the annex A of the 2007 bilateral agreements on Statistics between SWIZERLAND and EU, Switzerland is not subject to this regulation. However, Switzerland carries out a survey every two years and transmits the microdata to Eurostat on the basis of a gentleman's agreement.
Complementary national legislation constituting the legal basis for the survey on the use of ICT in households and by individuals:
Federal law of the 22.06.2007 sur le recensement fédéral de la population (RS 431.112)
Ordinance of 19 December 2008 on the Federal Population Census (RS 431.112.1)
Ordinance of 30 June 1993 on the execution of federal statistical surveys (RS 431.012.1)
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not applicable
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Federal Ordinance on the execution of federal statistical surveys (RS 431.012.1)
Federal law of 19 June 1992 on data protection (LPD) and Federal Ordinance of 14 June 1993 (OLPD)
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Confidentiality of data is guaranteed throughout the survey and data processing process. The microdata are anonymised as early as the raw data control phase. The correspondence list between ID number and name is not known by the person who analyses and finalises the dataset.
8.1. Release calendar
7 December 2023
8.2. Release calendar access
The release of results is announced in the Federal statistical Office agenda.
8.3. Release policy - user access
Statistical information shall be disseminated in such a way that all users can access it simultaneously. All users have access to statistical publications at the same time and under the same conditions, and any privileged pre-release access granted to an external user is limited, controlled and made public. Some authorities may receive advance information under embargo in order to prepare for possible questions. The policy on consultations and advance information regulates the modalities.
Internet pages in FR: Charte et Règlement - conseilethique-stat.ch
Annual
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Press release 7.12.2023:
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Indicators on Internet Access and Use in households, available in French or German on the SFO website:
in French Ensemble des indicateurs | Office fédéral de la statistique (admin.ch)
in German Gesamtindikatoren | Bundesamt für Statistik (admin.ch)
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
7 interactive tables - (px cubes) available in French and in German, on:
- Household access
- On-line activities
- E-government
- E-commerce (2 px-cubes)
- security
- modality of Internet use and e-skills.
In French: STAT-TAB – tableaux interactifs (OFS) (admin.ch), voir thème 16
In German: STAT-TAB – interaktive Tabellen (BFS) (admin.ch), sehen Thema 16
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
1457 downloads for 2021 interactive data (px-cubes) for the year 2022.
394 downloads for 2021 excel tables on online activities for the year 2022.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Anonymous micro-data can be supplied for research purposes as long as a contract on data protection and confidentiality has been signed by the researcher and the research institution. In this case, any precise geographical location smaller then NUTS2 is deleted from the microdata transmitted.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Excel tables about on-line activities, available in French and in German: see "tables" on the Infosociety homepage Société de l'information | Office fédéral de la statistique (admin.ch)
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
702 downloads of 2021 survey’s codebooks (DE, FR, IT) for the year 2022.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Survey's Factsheet (in French, German and Italian) and Questionnaire & codebook (in French, German and Italian):
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
100%
10.7. Quality management - documentation
See below
11.1. Quality assurance
Quality is insured by the FSO methodological services (ongoing process) and general processes of FSO
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Quality of the statistical output is good:
- relevance: data for international comparison and domestic evolution on digitalisation
- accuracy: satisfactory response rate (see below) and confidence intervals
- timeliness: data are published 6 months after the end of the survey's fieldwork
- comparability: EU model questionnaire allows for international comparisons and time series.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
1. Swiss Government: The Federal Council wants Switzerland to make the most of the opportunities offered by digitalisation. The Digital Switzerland Strategy sets the guidelines for Switzerland’s digital transformation. It is binding for the Federal Administration. For other stakeholders such as the cantons, communes, business, science and civil society, it serves as an orientation with the aim of making the best possible use of the opportunities of digital transformation for everyone: https://digital.swiss/en/
Such an objective requires regular statistical monitoring to measure the evolution and evaluate the impact of the actions taken.
2. International Institutions: EUROSTAT (database); ITU - international telecommunication Union; OCDE (international databases and publications)
3. Swiss cantons & Cities: Various cantons and cities uses our data for publishing indicators of digitalisation at regional level
4. Researchers & students: Higher education institutions
5. The Media in general, for public opinion formation
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not formally assessed
12.3. Completeness
Variables not included in the survey:
Module C: Use of e-government, Questions C1 to C7 : IGOVIP, IGOVIDB, IGOVIX, IGOVAPR, IGOVTAX1, IGOVODC, IGOVBE, IGOVRCC, IRGOVNN, IRGOVLS, IRGOVSEC, IRGOVOP, IRGOVOTH, IGOVANYS, IGOVUSECNT
Module D: Use of eID, questions D1 to D3 : IEID, IEIDOC, IEIDEC, IEIDBS, IREIDNA, IREIDNO, IREIDNN, IREIDSEC, IREIDTEC, IREIDDEV, IREIDOTH
Question E3. BPG_DOM BPG_EU BPG_WRLD BPG_UNK (sellers'origin of goods)
Question H14. GEO_DEV (geographical location, not relevant for Switzerland)
Question H18. HH_IQ5 (Monthly household income)
Question H19. TIME (Interview duration)
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
78% of mandatory variables
13.1. Accuracy - overall
No systematic bias should exist. The accuracy can be considered sufficient, if not satisfactory, given the means available.
13.2. Sampling error
The sampling error reflects the fact that only a 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 takes into account the sampling design (e.g. the stratification).
The estimation method for the random variation of an estimator due to sampling is Horvitz-Thompson.
SFO uses CALVAR a specific developed internally to estimate sampling errors. The method used to assess the standard errors takes into account
1) implicit stratification, One way to consider implicit stratification is to define explicit strata, from which each of an independent sample is supposed to have been selected.
2) calibration Methods to account for the effect of calibration on variance should be used, e.g. Deville and Särndal method (1992) with the use of CALMAR, a tool developed by INSEE, French NSI.
Sampling method is Poisson.
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): 2280
Estimated proportion (in %): 83.42
Standard error (in percentage points): 1.352
Details of the breakdowns are available on table 13.2.1 in document "CH Annex on samplign error" in the Annexes.
Annexes:
CH Annex on sampling error
13.3. Non-sampling error
See more details on non-sampling error below.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Since 2010 the FSO has a sample frame which forms the basis for high-quality person and household surveys. The sample frame uses data from cantonal and communal population registers, which are updated on a quarterly basis.
The sample frame refers to the permanent resident population as of 31.12.2022, living in a private household, excluding diplomats and persons under guardianship, persons with a registered address outside Switzerland, as well as persons in the asylum process or with a short-term residence permit.
There is a time laps of 1½ months time between last update of the frame and actual sampling and about a 2 ½ months’ time between actual sampling and beginning of the survey.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
non available
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not requested in the ICT survey.
13.3.2. Measurement error
1) Measurement errors:
There were 0.1% of unknown person or invalid postal address; 4.2 % of incomplete questionnaires rejected
2) Questionnaire design and testing:
A pilot survey of 500 people has been conducted in November/December 2022 to test the questionnaire and the working process with the contractor. In particular, the filters and variables were checked as well as response rates and the accuracy of the translations from French in German (Swiss German) and Italian.
3) Interviewer training:
For the CATI interviews, interviewers received a two-hour training session at the beginning of the survey and a refreshment at the beginning of the telephone calls. The training covers the context of the survey, the method, the topic in general and the questionnaire in detail (filters, definitions, etc). Presentation of the questionnaire is followed by practical exercises. Interviewers are provided with documentation on the definitions, a rationale and a FAQ sheet.
4) Proxy interview rates:
0 % : proxy interviews are not admitted. For CAWI and CATI interviews, a control of the person responding is made at the beginning of the questionnaire.
13.3.3. Non response error
Information about non-respondents:
The main difficulty is to get people without Internet access to participate, and to get people who don't know they use the Internet to answer questions about Internet use. The non-respondents are known by their characteristics available in the sample frame register.
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: 43.1%
- Individuals (aged 16-74): 43.4%
- Individuals (aged 15) : 29.5%
- Individuals (aged 75-88) : 42.6%
- Individuals (aged 15-88) : 43.1%
13.3.3.1.1. Unit non-response – sample sizes
| Number of households | Number of individuals | |||
| (aged 16-74) | (< 16) | (> 74) | ||
| Gross sample [A] The number of households/individuals initially selected from the sampling frame (if not applicable, indicate why below the table) |
5483 | 4898 | 78 | 507 |
| 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. |
103 | 85 | 6 | 12 |
| Number of eligible elements [C] Gross sample size corrected of the ineligible cases |
5380 | 4813 | 72 | 495 |
| 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. |
3113 | 2767 | 39 | 307 |
| 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. |
57.9% | 57.5% | 54.2% | 62.0% |
13.3.3.1.2. Unit non-response – methods, minimization and substitution
1) Methods used for dealing with unit non-response:
- Weight adjustments for nonresponse
- Calibration
2) Methods used for minimizing unit non-response:
- Official letter announcing the survey, explaining its objective and giving confidentiality guarantees to the respondent. It explains in particular why it is important for everyone to participate, even when there is no Internet access at home. This letter gives the website address and access code to the online survey, and a QR code with direct access to the questionnaire.
- Luparello describing the survey and its objectives, with some examples of results from previous surveys.
- Internet pages with FAQ concerning the survey and the confidentiality measures.
- A first reminder letter, about 2 weeks after the beginning of the survey, asking to answer the CAWI or to call to make the CATI interview.
- A second reminder 10 days later, informing people they would be called if they don't answer the CAWI.
- CATI interviews, with pitch prepared for the interviewers to get people participate.
- Telephone appointments when the selected individual is not at home at the moment of the call (no proxy).
3) Substitution permitted: No
4) Substitution rate (in %): 0% as no proxy interview is permitted
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Items with low response rates (observed rates in %): No item with response rate under 97%.
13.3.4. Processing error
No processing error stated
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not requested for ICT Survey
14.1. Timeliness
Date of data dissemination at national level: 7.12.2023
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Restricted from publication
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Restricted from publication
14.2. Punctuality
6 days
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
6 days
100%
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: Not relevant
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
15.4.1. Survey questionnaire – mandatory questions
MANDATORY questions in the Eurostat model questionnaire 2023:
Table 15.4.1. of document CHE_SIMS_2023_annexes.xlsx in the Annexes lists the questions for which the coverage of subjects and characteristics differs from of Annex 2 of the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2279 of 1 August 2022.
Annexes:
CHE Annex on coverage of mandatory questions
15.4.2. Survey questionnaire – optional questions
Adoption of OPTIONAL questions and items in the Eurostat model questionnaire 2023:
Table 15.4.2. of document CHE_SIMS_2023_annexes.xlsx in the Annexes lists the optional questions from the annual Eurostat model questionnaire 2023 included in the national questionnaire and their coverage for age groups beyond the standard scope.
Annexes:
CHE Annex on optional questions
15.4.3. Survey questionnaire – additional questions at national level
Additional questions introduced in the national questionnaire in 2023: Yes
Details of the additional questions are in Table 15.4.3. of document CHE_SIMS_2023_annexes.xlsx in the Annexes below.
Annexes:
CHE Annex on additional questions
15.4.4. Survey questionnaire – deviations
Effects of deviations from the routing used in the Eurostat model questionnaire:
Module F: Filter question “YES/NO” before B.13 reduces the burden - the time to fill the online survey or to pass the CATI -, but could lead to an underestimation of problems when buying online.
Restricted from publication
17.1. Data revision - policy
No data revision policy
17.2. Data revision - practice
No revision of data is planned
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
SRPH (Stichprobenrahmen für Personen- und Haushaltserhebungen) = sampling frame obtained by aggregating administrative registers of persons and households (municipalities and cantons’ population registers, federal registers of immigrants, federal registers of asylum applicant and federal civil registers).
The survey is a stand-alone survey with voluntary participation
There are 2 shortcomings:
About 1-2 months' time between the last update of the SRPH and the actual sampling for the survey
About 3-4 months’ time between the actual sampling and the beginning of the survey
18.1.2. Sampling design
Stratified by NUTS2 with Poisson sampling.
One individual (Secondary sampling unit = SSU) is selected with uniform probability within each selected household (Primary sampling unit = PSU).
Within a NUTS 2 region, this is a self-weighted design where PSU’s have probability proportional to size and one SSU is selected within each selected PSU, so that all target individuals of a NUTS 2 region have the same inclusion probability.
There are no longitudinal components.
18.1.3. Net effective sample size
Restricted from publication
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annual
18.3. Data collection
1) Methods used to gather data:
CAWI and CATI interviews
2) Short description of the survey method:
Mixed-Mode CAWI / CATI; realised in 2023: 91% CAWI – 9% CATI. The first personal letter to the selected individual encourages responding online (CAWI) but also gives the possibility to conduct the interview by phone (CATI). A first reminder letter is sent about 10 days after the first letter. Direct calls for passing CATI interview, to persons who have not yet responded online, start only after the second reminder letter.
3) Variables completed from an external source:
From the sample frame of SRPH (inhabitants register) are taken: YEARBIR, AGE, SEX, GEO_NUTS2, DEG_URBA, COUNTRY, GEO_NUTS1
18.4. Data validation
1) coverage control : all variables in the data, no unexpected value code, all records with a value
2) Filter control : positive and negative condition for each filter variable
3) Time comparison : consistency of result with the last two surveys of 2021 and 2019
4) Response rate control : item non response not bigger than 4%
5) Plausibilisation: within questionnaire, some responses imply certain value for other variables.
18.5. Data compilation
1. Reception of data from the contractor: control of raw data (cf. 18.4).
2. Plausibilisation & imputation:
The following variables were imputed: A1. Internet access; B3a. Use of Internet with desktop computer; B3d. Use of Internet with mobile phone; B4c. Social network; F1a. Copying-moving files - resulting in higher proportions (unweighted) of 0.5% to 9.4%.
3. Weighting.
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: Deductive imputation
18.5.3. Grossing-up procedures
Grossing up procedures have been applied to: Individuals and Households
Description of the weighting procedures:
For Households :
- weight adjustments for nonresponse
- weight share methods
- calibration
For Individuals :
- weight adjustments for nonresponse
- calibration
18.6. Adjustment
Not relevant
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not relevant
For Switzerland, the survey is biennial. In relation to the frequency of data collection, there is a break in series for question B2 in 2023 comparing to 2021, as the EU questionnaire changed in 2022
The EU survey on the use of ICT in households and by individuals is an annual survey conducted since 2002. In Switzerland, it has been conducted every two years since 2017. Previously it has been carried out in 2010 and 2014.
In 2023, the survey collects data on the access to information and communication technologies (ICT), on the use of the internet, e-commerce, e-skills, as well as privacy and protection of personal data. In Switzerland, few data on e-government and no data on eID has been collected.
24 June 2024
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 (biennial in Switzerland) 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, eID, and 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 so as 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 (Methodological Manual - Information society statistics).
Deviations from standard ICT concepts:
- The e-government question has been kept identical as in the 2021 survey. Moreover, the definition of e-governement is more restrictive for Switzerland, taking into account only the public administrations and not the public services like schools or health services.
- The reference period for financial activities has been kept as in the 2021 survey : 12 months; as this kind of activity, taking a loan for instance, is by nature much less frequent.
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: 3’483’110
- Number of individuals: 6’400’039
Switzerland (NUTS1) and its 7 big regions (NUTS2)
For most questions the reference period is the last three months before the interview, that is from mid-January to the End of April. Questions in the modules on e-government refer to the 'last year' before the interview.
Deviation from this assertion: question E12 on financial activities refers to the last 12 months before the interview
No systematic bias should exist. The accuracy can be considered sufficient, if not satisfactory, given the means available.
Percentages of ‘Households’ and Percentages of ‘Individuals’
1. Reception of data from the contractor: control of raw data (cf. 18.4).
2. Plausibilisation & imputation:
The following variables were imputed: A1. Internet access; B3a. Use of Internet with desktop computer; B3d. Use of Internet with mobile phone; B4c. Social network; F1a. Copying-moving files - resulting in higher proportions (unweighted) of 0.5% to 9.4%.
3. Weighting.
The source of the raw data is described with more details in the paragraphs below.
Annual
Date of data dissemination at national level: 7.12.2023
There is no problem of comparability across the country’s regions.
Possible limitations in the use of data for comparisons over time: Not relevant
