About 46 percent of adult Filipinos use the Internet in the first quarter of 2019 and is on the uptrend from 32 percent since March 2012.
A survey conducted by the Social Weather Station (SWS) revealed that a long-view of the data showed an upward trend in the proportion of Internet users in the country since June 2006. Back then, the survey found that only 8% of adults were Internet users.
The proportion ranged from 11% to 19% from September 2007 to December 2011, then from 23% to 32% from March 2012 to December 2015.
Starting December 2015, the percentage of adults who use the Internet stayed within the 30’s range, or better. Beginning 2018, it rose and stayed within the 40’s range.
In addition, 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 of 50% of Filipino women are Internet users. This is likewise statistically similar to the 49% recorded in December last year. In comparison, the survey found 41% 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 such as Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
In March 2019, the proportion of Internet users was at 64% in Metro Manila,(up from 59% in December 2018, 48% in Luzon down from 56%, 39% in Mindanao up from 32%, and 34% in the Visayas down from 35%.
The SWS survey also noted that the proportion of Internet users has been consistently higher in urban than in rural areas.
The March 2019 survey found that 56% of adults in urban centers are Internet users down from 62% in December 2018 as compared to 38% in rural areas up from 37%.
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%, followed by those aged 25-34 years at 71% up from 69%; 35-44 years at 55% down from 56%; 45-54 years at 30% down from 32%; and those aged 55 years and above at 14% down from 17%.
By educational attainment, the proportion is highest among college graduates at 79%, followed by high school graduates at 58%, elementary graduates at 33% and non-elementary graduates at 11%. — Edu Lopez
