Spread and use of ICT in France and Europe in 2009 [CC-2010-2]

Data from the European “ICT: Information and Communications Technologies” survey provides an opportunity to compare France’s computer equipment ownership and digital activity levels with those of its European neighbours. Although over 50% of French people make daily use of computers and access the internet, age and sex remain differentiating factors in new technology usage, with men making more use of it than women, and younger people more than older people. Communications (messaging) and cultural leisure activities are amongst internet users’favourite activities, whilst online trading and services, particularly online banking, have been on the increase since 2006. The spread of nomadic practices is still gaining momentum. At European level, there is a marked disparity between northern European countries, with their high levels of computing competence and ownership, and southern Europe where the adoption of computer equipment is more recent.