Philippines internet use all-time high in fourth quarter 2018

MANILA, Philippines —  Internet use in the country hit an all-time high in the fourth quarter of 2018, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll.

The survey, taken from Dec. 16 to 19, showed 47 percent of Filipino adults use the internet. This was six points above the 41 percent registered in September 2018 and five points above the previous record of 42 percent in March 2018.

It ranged from 34 to 42 percent from April 2016 to September 2018, the SWS said.

Since 2006, the proportion of internet users among Filipino adults has always been highest in Metro Manila, although it went down by five points from 64 percent in September 2018 to 59 percent in December 2018.

It rose by nine points in balance Luzon to a record-high 56 percent from 47 percent.

In the Visayas, it went up from 28 percent to 35 percent.

It also increased in Mindanao from 27 percent to 32 percent.

In urban areas, a record-high 62 percent of Filipinos are internet users, up by eight points from 54 percent in September, compared to rural areas with a record-high 37 percent, also higher by six points from 31 percent in the third quarter of 2018.

Since June 2006, internet use has always been highest among classes ABC, the pollster said.

It went up to 61 percent from 55 percent among class ABC, followed by class D, at a new record-high 49 percent (from 43 percent), and class E, at 34 percent (from 28 percent).

Internet use among women also hit a new record-high 49 percent in December (from the 42 percent in September), compared to men, at a new record-high 44 percent (from 40 percent).

Since December 2015, internet use has been higher among women, SWS said.

It is highest among those aged 18-24, at a new record-high 88 percent in December (from 81 percent in September), followed by those aged 25-34, at 69 percent (from 65 percent), those aged 35-44, at a new record-high 56 percent (from 44 percent), those aged 45-54, at a new record-high 32 percent (from 27 percent), and those aged 55 years old and above, at a new record-high 17 percent (from 12 percent).

By educational attainment, internet use has always been highest among college graduates, at 77 percent (from 73 percent in September), followed by high school graduates, at a new record-high 60 percent (from 56 percent), elementary graduates, at a new record-high 31 percent (from 26 percent), and non-elementary school graduates, at a new record-high 15 percent (from nine percent).

The nationwide survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,440 adults, 18 years old and above.