Use of ICT in households and by individuals

Data on computer and internet use provide information on the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in households and by individuals, covering the number of individuals using computers and the internet, online activities, types of internet connection, e-commerce, use of e-government services, privacy and protection and personal data, as well as other related topics.

Data on households mainly cover internet access and are broken down by household type, income level and statistical region, while data on individuals focus on ICT use and are broken down by activity status, age group, sex, educational attainment and statistical region.

ICT use across households with different income levels is compared using income quartiles.

Since 2026, the survey also includes a section on language skills. The data cover mother tongue, language used at home and proficiency in languages other than the mother tongue.

Persons aged 16–74.

Persons aged 16–74, with data broken down by age group (16–24, 25–34, 35–44, 45–54, 55–64, 65–74, 25–64, 18–69) and statistical region (Riga, Vidzeme, Latgale, Kurzeme, Zemgale).

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Statistics database

Comparable data for EU countries are available in Eurostat database, under Digital economy and society section.

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Data are obtained from the survey on the use of ICT in households and by individuals, using questionnaire ICT-persons, use of information and communication technologies. 

Since 2026, in addition to questions on ICT use by household as a whole and individual household members, the questionnaire also includes questions on language skills.

The survey uses a one-stage stratified systematic sample, with individuals as the sampling units. The sampling frame is drawn from the Central Statistical Bureau population database, using population data as at 1 January of the specific reference year. To ensure that all population groups are represented, individuals are stratified by type of area, sex and age group (16–24, 25–34, 35–44, 45–54, 55–64 and 65–74).

The allocation of the sample across strata is based on data from the ICT survey conducted in the previous year, taking into account response rates, stratum sizes and variation in the indicator measuring online purchases of goods and services by individuals for private use during the previous 12 months.

Within each stratum, individuals are selected using systematic sampling. Before selection, individuals are sorted by stratum, administrative territory, neighbourhood and enumeration district to ensure balanced geographical coverage and a representative sample.

Before 2026, data were collected using computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI), computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) and computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI). Since 2026, only CATI and CAWI have been used.

Before 2026 the sample of the survey is of a mixed design:

1) The CAPI (face-to-face interviews) part of the sample consists of two stages, with counting areas being selected in the first stage by using the principles of stratified systemic sample creation. The counting areas are divided into 16 strata, which have been formed by combining groups of territorial divisions (Riga, cities, towns and rural areas) and statistical regions (Riga, Pierīga, Vidzeme, Latgale, Kurzeme and Zemgale).

In turn, the second stage of the sample selects respondents according to the simple random sampling method.

2) The CATI (telephone interviews) part of the sample applies the stratified simple random sample for selecting respondents. Respondents are divided into 36 strata, which are formed as a combination of age groups (16-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74) and statistical regions (Riga, Pierīga, Vidzeme, Latgale, Kurzeme and Zemgale).

* Persons who participated in the survey.

Information on sample size and responding households and individuals in earlier surveys Excel, 9.8 KB.

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