TECHNOLOGY: Cyprus in the bottom half of EU league for internet use

Cyprus (84%) falls just below the EU average of 85% of people aged 16-74 in the European Union who reported they had used the internet during the previous three months, according to Eurostat.

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It ranks 15 in the 28-member bloc for internet use but scores poorly for certain activities like watching videos on demand, streamed TV, making appointments and selling goods or services.

This share ranged from the highest (98%) in Denmark to the lowest (65%) in Bulgaria. Internet use has grown rapidly over the years – in 2007 it stood at 57% and in 2012 at 73%.

The internet was used mainly to send/receive e-mails (73%) and to find information about goods and services (70%).

A majority of people also used the internet to watch video content from commercial or sharing services (57%), participate in social networks (56%), use banking facilities (54%) and look for health information (52%).

But Cyprus was rock-bottom of the list for internet activities when it came to making an appointment with a practitioner via a website, it scored 1% against the EU average of 17% with Finland top on 44%.

Cyprus also came last in the EU for selling goods or services on the internet with a measly 2% compared to the EU average of 19% and the Netherlands leading the way with 35%.