It is only among those over 35 that the proportion of men who shop online is significantly higher than among women
The most frequent purchases on the internet were clothing and sporting goods
According to the Statistics Austria survey on the usage of information and communication technologies (ICT) in private households, 73% of 16- to 74-year-olds in Austria use the internet several times a day.
62% of this age group have purchased goods or services online in the past twelve months prior to the survey.
Only Smart Home Solutions, i.e. the control of household appliances and security systems via internet, are only used to a limited extent in Austria.
Around 4.1 million people aged 16 to 74 purchased goods or services on the internet in the last twelve months preceding the survey period.
However, the gender gap observed so far is changing: In the past, the proportion of online shoppers was always higher among men than among women.
Overall, this is still the case, but in the younger age groups more women shop online than men.
It is only among those over 35 that the proportion of men who shop online is significantly higher than among women.
The most frequent purchases on the internet were clothing and sporting goods (64% of online shoppers), holiday accommodation or other travel arrangements (63%), tickets for events (42%) and books, magazines, newspapers, e-learning materials or e-books (41%).
31% of all online shoppers purchased films and music on the internet (38%).
With Smart Home Solutions, households can control their energy management, security systems and household appliances (e.g. vacuum cleaners) via the internet.
These systems and appliances are increasingly being offered on the market, but their use is still low in Austria: Only 10% of respondents stated that they control smart systems or appliances in their households via the internet.
Highest proportions are found in persons under 45 years of age: 12% of the 16- to 24-year-olds, 13% of the 25- to 34-year-olds and 16% of the 35- to 44-year-olds "live smart".
Around 4.8 million people aged 16 to 74 used the internet several times a day.
This represents 73% of the population in this age group. This proportion decreases with age: While 98% of all 16- to 24-year-olds surf serveral times a day, it is 54% within the 55-to-64-year-olds and 34% within the 65- to 74-year-olds.
Men use the internet more frequently: 77% of men and 70% of women use the internet surf the internet several times a day.
This difference is greatest among people aged 65 to 74 (men: 45%, women 25%). ■