More women and younger Filipinos are internet users, the latest Social Weather Station (SWS) survey showed.
The poll released on Tuesday showed that 42 percent of women use the internet, a two-point gap from the 40 percent recorded male internet users.
The SWS noted that the number of internet users “has been higher” among women since December 2015.
Meanwhile, the SWS said that internet users have always been “highest among younger Filipinos.”
The survey revealed that 81 percent of 18-24 year olds are internet users while 65 percent of 25-34 year olds are internet users.
For 35-44 year olds, internet users are recorded at 44 percent, 27 percent for 45-54 year olds while there are 12 percent internet users among those who are 55 years old and above.
Moreover, internet users are highest among college graduates at 73 percent in September 2018.
This is followed by high school graduates with 56 percent, 26 percent for elementary graduates and nine percent for non-elementary school graduates.
More internet users in Metro Manila, urban areas
The survey further showed that internet users “have always been highest” in Metro Manila and in urban areas.
The pollster said that the proportion of internet users in Metro Manila is at 64 percent. This is a four-point increase from a 60 percent in the previous in June 2018.
“Internet use also increased by 5 points in Balance Luzon, from 42% in June to a new record-high 47% in September. This surpassed the previous record of 43% in June 2017,” SWS said,
“However, it fell by 9 points in the Visayas, from the record-high 37% in June to 28% in September. It also decreased by 2 points in Mindanao, from 29% in June to in 27% September,” it added.
Meanwhile, the proportion of internet users were at 54 percent in urban areas, 23 points higher compared to the proportion of internet users in rural areas which was recorded at 31 percent.
The survey that was fielded from September 15-23, 2018 used face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults, 18 years old and above nationwide.
The sample includes 600 in Balance Luzon, and 300 each in Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao.
It has a sampling error margins of ±3 percent for national percentages, ±4 percent for Balance Luzon, and ±6 percent each for Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The polling firm said that it presented respondents with the question:
“KAYO PO BA AY NAG-OONLINE UPANG MAKAPAG-INTERNET O MAKAPAGPADALA AT MAKATANGGAP NG MGA EMAIL? Gumagamit ng internet; hindi gumagamit ng internet.”
(Do you ever go online to access the internet or the World Wide Web or send and receive email? Uses the Internet; Does not use the Internet). /je