SWS: Pinoy internet use steady at 46%

Percentage of Internet users in the Philippines from June 2006 to March 2019

Internet use among Filipinos remains steady at 46 percent, according to the First Quarter 2019 Social Weather Survey (SWS).

The figure, SWS said, is "statistically similar" to the record-high 47% in December 2018 with sampling error margin of ±2.6% at the national level, and ±5% each for Metro Manila, Balance of Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

The data is proof that there is an upward trend in the proportion of internet users in the country since June 2006 when usage was at 8 percent.

The rate of usage ranged from 11% to 19% from September 2007 to December 2011 and 23% to 32% from March 2012 to December 2015.

The March 2019 Social Weather Survey was conducted from March 28-31, 2019 using face-to-face interviews of 1,440 adults in different parts of the country.

SWS noted that since December 2015, the number of female users us slightly higher than male users.

The March 2019 survey found that a record-high 50% of Filipino women are internet users. This is likewise statistically similar to the 49% recorded in December last year. The survey found 41% of Filipino men use the internet.

There are also more internet users in urban areas, with 56%, than rural areas with 38%.

The young and educated Filipinos form the most number of Internet users with 18-24 year olds at 86%, 25-34 years at 71%; 35-44 years at 55% ; 45-54 years at 30% ; and those aged 55 years and above at 14%.

Based on educational attainment, about 79% of internet users are college graduates, high school graduates at 58%; elementary graduates at 33%; and non-elementary graduates at 11%. — BAP, GMA News