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Internet use in Malta continued to expand in 2024, with 93.3% of people aged between 16 and 74 reporting that they had used the internet during the three months prior to the survey. This represents an increase from 92.1% in 2023 and confirms Malta’s position above the EU-27 average, which it exceeded by 2.6 percentage points. In absolute terms, the number of internet users rose from 380,761 in 2023 to 408,915 in 2024.

The data show that internet access is almost universal among younger age groups. In 2024, internet use reached 100% among individuals aged 16 to 24, while it stood at 99.3% among those aged 25 to 34 and 99.5% among the 35 to 44 age group. The lowest level was recorded among people aged 65 to 74, although this group also showed a notable level of digital participation, with 70.2% using the internet. By sex, internet use was slightly higher among females, at 93.6%, compared with 93.0% among males.

The internet was used mainly for communication purposes. In 2024, 98.1% of internet users reported using it for communication, while 94.6% used it for entertainment and 91.9% to access information. Other online services were used by 82.0% of users, while 77.0% accessed eHealth-related services. Civic and political participation remained the least common activity, involving 26.7% of internet users.

The frequency of internet use also points to a highly connected population. Almost all internet users, 98.2%, used the internet every day or almost every day in 2024, up from 97.3% in 2023. In absolute terms, this corresponds to 401,635 individuals.

The use of e-Government services increased significantly. In 2024, 331,804 people accessed e-Government services, equivalent to 81.1% of internet users, compared with 74.3% in 2023. The highest uptake was observed among the 16 to 24 age group, where 91.7% of internet users made use of e-Government services.

E-commerce also continued to grow. In 2024, 270,318 internet users purchased goods or services online, equal to 66.1% of internet users. The most common goods acquired online were deliveries from restaurants, fast-food chains or catering services, with 205,208 users, followed by clothes, purchased by 190,595 users. For online services, the most common purchase was transport services from enterprises, with 190,253 users, followed by accommodation from businesses, at 146,060 users.

Internet-connected devices were also widely used. The most common device was the internet-connected television, used by 84.5% of internet users, followed by smart watches or fitness bands at 32.8%. When purchasing digital devices, price remained the most important factor, considered by 81.4% of users, followed by hardware characteristics at 76.3% and brand, design or size at 72.6%. Environmental aspects were less prominent, although 38.3% considered energy efficiency and 30.6% considered ecodesign.

Overall, the 2024 figures indicate that Malta’s digitalisation is increasingly consolidated, with internet use now close to saturation among younger and middle-age groups. The strongest growth areas are linked to public digital services, e-commerce and the everyday use of connected devices, while older age groups and civic online participation remain the main areas with room for further development.

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY NSO
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