Use of information and communications technology by individuals: documentation of statistics

The statistics cover the entire population aged 16 to 89 residing in Finland.

The statistical units in the statistics on the use of information and communications technology by individuals are an individual and a household.

The statistics comprise two statistical populations: the population aged 16 to 89 permanently residing in the country and households with at least one individual aged 16 to 89.

The reference area for the statistics on the use of information and communications technology by individuals is the whole of Finland.

The regional classifications used:

NUTS2. 

Grouping of municipalities: the Greater Helsinki area, big cities, other urban municipalities, semi-urban/rural municipalities

Data on the use of information and communications technology, as well as the Internet, by individuals have been collected by a separate survey since 1996. The survey has been conducted annually since 2004. The possibility to prepare time series varies by question due to a change in the survey’s content. Time series on the basic data can be prepared no later than from 2004 onwards. 

The data released on the statistics are always final.

The statistics’ units of measure are the percentage and number of individuals, as well as the percentage and number of households.

The most common reference period for the statistics is the three months preceding the data collection. The reference period for some variables is the 12 months preceding the data collection.

More information can be found on https://stat.fi/en/luokitukset

The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. The Statistics Act contains provisions on collection of data, processing of data and the obligation to provide data. Besides the Statistics Act, the General Data Protection Regulation, the Data Protection Act and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities are applied to processing of data when producing statistics.

Statistics Finland compiles statistics in line with the EU’s regulations applicable to statistics, which steer the statistical agencies of all EU Member States.

Further information: Statistical legislation

The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. The Statistics Act contains provisions on collection of data, processing of data and the obligation to provide data. Besides the Statistics Act, the Data Protection Act and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities are applied to processing of data when producing statistics.

Statistics Finland compiles statistics in line with the EU’s regulations applicable to statistics, which steer the statistical agencies of all EU Member States.

Further information: Statistical legislation

The collection of EU-harmonised data for the statistics is mandatory in EU Member States. Until the 2020 survey, the collection of the data was subject to the multiannual EU framework Regulation (EC) No 808/2004 of the European Parliament and the Council concerning Community statistics on the information society and the implementing regulations laid down for each year’s survey. As of the 2021 survey, the data collection is steered by the framework Regulation (EU) 2019/1700 of the European Parliament and the Council establishing a common framework for European statistics relating to persons and households, as well as the implementing and delegated regulations laid down annually.

European Comission has financed the survey.

Of the statistics’ data, the percentage and number are released on the website of Statistics Finland some five months after the data collection has ended.

The source data for the EU-harmonised data (the EU ICT-HH data) are delivered to Eurostat at the beginning of October. In December, Eurostat releases data on European countries in various manners and makes the survey’s microdata available for researchers in accordance with its own.

Statistics Finland estimates the respondent's response burden by, among other things,
response time (minutes/respondent).

The starting point for the design of the EU questions on the data collection form is the model questionnaire appended to the implementing regulation and designed in the working groups of Eurostat, the Commission and Member States. The EU questions are adapted to be suitable to national conditions and data collection. A group of experts, composed of the data users and experts of Statistics Finland, are heard in the design of the national questions. The formulation of the questions and the functionality of the form are tested annually. The questionnaire has also been subject to cognitive testing. Approximately a third of the content of the data collection changes annually. On the one hand, the change is due to a rotation of the questions and, on the other hand, due to new data to be collected.

The data for the statistics are collected as a sample survey. The sample is based on random sampling made from the Population Information System. In 2024, the gross sample was 6,500 individuals and the response rate was 54,5 per cent. Calculated from the entire sample, the response rate of the online questionnaire was 40,5 per cent and that of the telephone interview correspondingly 14 per cent. The size of the data was 3,524 individuals. The share of online questionnaire of the data was 74 per cent and share of telephone interviews 26 per cent.  

The data are weighted to correspond to the population and households in the entire country, accounting for non-response. In individual weighting, the numbers of both respondents and the population are tabulated according to sex, age, level of education, native language, region and the statistical grouping of municipalities.

The data are collected annually.

The data in the statistics are collected with a mixed-mode data collection method in which respondents can select between a telephone interview and an online questionnaire. The survey’s EU-harmonised questions are designed in the working groups of Eurostat, some directorates-general of the Commission and national statistical agencies. The national questions are designed with the help of a group of experts composed of the data users.

The data of the statistics are validated in many stages during the statistical process. During the processing of the data, the high quality of the data is ensured through various statistical verification programs as well as by comparing the data with previous comparable statistics and other data sources. Following the data collection, the data are checked. Incomplete responses and other invalid observations are removed.

The data are weighted to correspond to the population and households in the entire country, accounting for non-response. In individual weighting, the numbers of both respondents and the population are tabulated according to sex, age, level of education, native language, region and the statistical grouping of municipalities.

Statistical data are used in ministries, central agencies, companies and organizations in the sector for planning activities and monitoring the operating environment. The
data are used in research at universities, polytechnics and research institutes. In educational institutions, the results are used in teaching. The media use the results in news reporting. 

Eurostat uses the data in its publications and databases. The Commission's policy
directorates-general use the data in planning measures and monitoring digitalization
developments.

The accuracy of data collected with a sample survey is affected b y mea surement errors, non-response and the random variation attributable to the sample. Measurement errors may arise if questions can be understood and interpreted in different ways or if the respondents do not give the requested information. The means by which measurement errors are reduced are the careful planning of the questionnaire forms, testing the form and interviewer training.

The survey’s non-response is classified into unit non-response and item non-response or partial non-response. Unit non-response means that target persons cannot be interviewed at all because they cannot be reached or refuse to be interviewed. Weighting coefficients can be used to correct unit non-response. Item non-response refers to question-specific non-response. In such cases an interview has been conducted but data are missing in certain questions because the interview was interrupted or the interviewee refused to respond.

Standard errors

Variable: Has used the Internet in the past 3 months, 2024

n: 3,273     participation rate: 93,72 %    standard error: 0,39

Variable: Has made an online purchase in the past 3 months 2024

n: 1,981     participation rate: 57,73 %     standard error: 0,85

Sample surveys always involve random variation, which is called sampling error and is caused by limitations related to sample size. The key indicators used to assess the
reliability of statistics are the standard error and the confidence interval derived from it, i.e. the margin of error. Non-response also weakens the representativeness of the results of sample surveys. The effect of non-response is corrected by weighting factors, which aim to make the estimates as error-free as possible.

Undercoverage consists of those aged 16–89 who have moved to Finland since the last update of the register. Since the time between the selection of the sample for
statistical data collection and the data collection itself is relatively short,
undercoverage does not significantly affect the quality of the sample and thus
the quality of the study.

Errors are corrected and users are informed about them as quickly as possible. Statistics
Finland reports on significant errors to the same extent and using the same channels as when publishing the actual data. A note about the correction and information about the time of the correction are added to corrected statistical releases. If possible, the original, incorrect information is also left visible. Typographical and other formatting errors in statistics are corrected as quickly and flexibly as possible, and they are not separately noted on the website. Changes to statistical databases are reported on the Changes in the
database page. Only the most recent data are maintained in statistical databases. Schedule deviations are also counted as errors. If the publication of statistical data is significantly delayed from the announced time, the delay is announced on Statistics Finland's website.

Quality management requires comprehensive guidance of activities. The European Statistics Code of Practice forms the basis for the common quality system of the European Statistical System.

The Code of Practice is based on 16 principles that concern statistical authorities' independence, accountability and the quality of the processes and data to be published.

The principles are in line with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics approved by the United Nations Statistics Commission and are supplementary to them. The quality criteria of Official Statistics of Finland are compatible with the European Statistics Code of Practice.

Further information: European Statistics Code of Practice | Statistics Finland and Recommendations of the Advisory Board of Official Statistics of Finland | Statistics Finland

The quality of the population's use of information and communication technology statistics is evaluated in several different stages of the statistical process.

Revisions – i.e. improvements in the accuracy of statistical data already published – are a normal feature of statistical production and result in improved quality of statistics. The principle is that statistical data are based on the best available data and information concerning the statistical phenomenon. On the other hand, the revisions are communicated as transparently as possible in advance. Advance communication ensures that the users can prepare for the data revisions.

The reason why data in statistical releases become revised is often caused by the data becoming supplemented. Then the new, revised statistical figure is based on a wider information basis and describes the phenomenon more accurately than before.

Revisions of statistical data may also be caused by the calculation method used, such as annual benchmarking or updating of weight structures. Changes of base years and used classifications may also cause revisions to data.

The data of the statistics are released in November of the statistical year, i.e. approximately seven months from the end of the reference period.

In 2024, the new data of the statistics on the use of information and communications technology by individuals were released three weeks later than scheduled.

Content-wise, the data concerning Finland in the statistics are geographically comparable. Comparisons can be done within the framework set by the scope of the data.

The use of information and communications technology, as well as the Internet, is a rapidly changing phenomenon. Changes also take place in the need for data pertaining to it. Due to these reasons, the content of the statistics’ data collection has changed from one year to the next, limiting comparability over time.

The change in the phenomenon has also resulted in changes to the definitions of some of the collected data. Because of this, not all data from different years are entirely comparable. 

The possibility for preparing time series varies by question. Time series on all basic data can be prepared no later than as of 2004.

The data collection of the statistics has been subject to changes in the 2010s. In 2016, the collection shifted from telephone interviews to a mixed-mode data collection (phone interview/online questionnaire). In 2019, 2020 and 2021, the telephone interviews were outsourced. These factors may have an impact on the comparability of the results with regard to previous years and some variables.

Other statistics do not collect equally detailed data on the use of information and communications technology and the Internet by individuals.

The data is published for the research years and does not include interim data.

Statistics Finland publishes new statistical data at 8 am on weekdays in its web service. The release times of statistics are given in advance in the release calendar available in the web service. The data become public after they have been updated in the web service.

Further information: Publication principles for statistics at Statistics Finland

Statistics Finland's release calendar Future publications

Future publications of the statistics can be found on the page of the statistics at: Future publications of the statistics

The data are released to all users at the same time. Statistical data may be processed at Statistics Finland and information on them may be given before release only by persons involved in the production of the statistics concerned or who need the data of the statistics concerned in their own work before the data are published.

Further information: Publication principles for statistics

Unless otherwise specifically stated in connection with the product, data or service concerned, Statistics Finland is the producer and copyright owner of the data. The terms of use for statistical data.

The data of the statistics on the use of information and communications technology by individuals are collected and released on an annual basis. The material concerning a single year is published in several releases covering different content areas.

The release is published annually on the home page of the statistics.

Reviews of statistical topics are published in connection with the annual statistical
release. The reviews can be found in the statistical release.

http://tilastokeskus.fi/til/sutivi/index.html

The database tables of the statistics can be found in the StatFin database

The statistical data will be made into paid service data, which will be released for research
use against a license. Microdata will be provided to Eurostat from the EU part of the statistical data.

The European Commission publishes data from the EU part of the statistics in its indicators
describing the digitalization of countries, like DESI (Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI)  ja Digital Skill Indicator (DSI).

The data protection of data collected for statistical purposes is guaranteed. The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. Alongside the Statistics Act, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation and the Finnish Data Protection Act are applied to the processing of personal data. Provisions on the confidentiality of data collected for statistical purposes are laid down in the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.

The data are processed only by persons who need the data in their work. The use of data is restricted by usage rights. All persons employed by Statistics Finland have signed a pledge of secrecy, where they have obliged to keep secret the data prescribed as confidential by virtue of the Statistics Act or the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.

Further information: Data protection | Statistics Finland (stat.fi)

The data are protected at all stages of processing by the necessary physical and technical
solutions. The unit-specific data in the data are confidential. The data are processed only by those persons who need the data in their work. The use of the data is limited by access authorisations. All those compiling the statistics have signed a confidentiality undertaking, in which they undertake to keep confidential the information stipulated as confidential under the Statistics Act or the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.

The data for the EU-harmonised part of the statistics are submitted to the Commission (Eurostat) in csv format using the Edamis Wep Application (EWA). In the file sent to
Eurostat, the only identifying information is the sequential object number created for the sample, which does not allow the respondent to be identified. A quality and method report is submitted to Eurostat at the beginning of October of the data collection year.

The data are published in text, figure and table formats, which does not allow the
identification of individual data producers.