Nearly half of the internet users in Estonia have sourced or collected information using artificial intelligence tools, new data from Statistics Estonia has found.
According to the findings, in cities, the percentage of internet users that use AI solutions is slightly more than half, while in rural areas it is slightly lower, however the difference is not that significant.
Internet use and digital skills
According to Statistics Estonia’s latest internet use and digital skills survey, some 564,800 households across the country now boast internet access, representing 95% of all households. This is an increase of 20,000 households compared with 2024.
Almost all Estonians aged between 16 to 54 use the internet, while internet usage has grown significantly among older age groups, with usage among those aged 55 to 64 rising by five percentage points over the past year (and by 11 percentage points compared to 2020).
Among those aged 65 to 74, the increase was even greater, of six percentage points (or 20 percentage points since 2020).
“One key factor is the natural change of age groups,” commented Tiina Pärson, leading analyst at Statistics Estonia. “People who are already accustomed to using the internet are moving into older age groups, leading to greater digital competence among the elderly.”
The survey also found regional differences in internet use, with the biggest increases seen in Võru, Valga, and Hiiu.
Online services
Online activities remain popular among Estonians, with 92% of internet users using digital banking services, with a similar uptake in both rural and urban areas.
“On the one hand, this is due to the convenient availability of the service, and on the other hand, banks themselves have increasingly directed customers to the digital environment,” Pärson added.
Also, close to half of all internet users have used public databases and registry services, while about one quarter have submitted applications for benefits or allowances online. Read more here.
