By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
Internet use is found to be highest among young and more educated Filipinos, based on the first quarter of 2019 survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).
A child uses a tablet as he watches a video posted on the internet in Quezon City, February 28, 2019.
(MARK BALMORES / MANILA BULLETIN)
In the survey conducted from March 28-31 among 1,440 adult respondents, SWS found that 46 percent of Filipinos use the internet.
This is statistically similar to the record-high 47 percent in December 2018 given the survey’s sampling error margin of ±2.6 percent at the national level, and ±5 percent each for Metro Manila, rest of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
SWS pointed out that a long-view of the data shows an upward trend in the proportion of internet users in the country since June 2006.
Back then, the survey found that 8 percent of adults were internet users.
The proportion ranged from 11 percent to 19 percent from September 2007 to December 2011, then from 23 percent to 32 percent from March 2012 to December 2015.
Starting December 2015, the percentage of adults who use the internet stayed within the 30s range. Beginning 2018, it rose and stayed within the 40s range.
SWS also found that since December 2015, the proportion of adults who use the internet has been slightly higher among women than among men.
The March 2019 survey found that a record-high 50 percent of Filipino women are internet users.
This is likewise statistically similar to the 49 percent recorded in December last year.
In comparison, the survey found 41 percent of Filipino men use the internet.
Since it was first asked in June 2006, Internet use has always been highest in Metro Manila as compared to other general areas, the rest of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
In March 2019, the proportion of Internet users was at 64 percent in Metro Manila, from 59 percent in December 2018); 48 percent in the rest of Luzon, from 56 percent; 39 percent in Mindanao, from 32 percent; and 34 percent in Visayas, from 35 percent.
Moreover, the proportion of internet users has been consistently higher in urban than in rural locales.
The March 2019 survey found that 56 percent of adults in urban locales are internet users, from 62 percent in December 2018, as compared to 38 percent in rural locales, from 37 percent.
The results of the March 2019 survey on internet use are consistent with previous findings of SWS that internet use is higher among younger and more educated Filipinos.
By age, the proportion of internet users was highest among 18-24 year olds at 86 percent (down from 88 percent in December 2018).
This is followed by those aged 25-34 years at 71 percent (up from 69 percent); 35-44 years at 55 percent (down from 56 percent); 45-54 years at 30 percent (down from 32 percent); and those aged 55 years and above at 14 percent (down from 17 percent).
By educational attainment, the proportion is highest among college graduates at 79 percent (up from 77 percent in December 2018), followed by high school graduates at 58 percent (down from 60 percent); elementary graduates at 33 percent (up from 31 percent); and non-elementary graduates at 11 percent (down from 15 percent).