Federal Statistical Office: Three million Germans do not use the Internet

In Germany, 3.1 million people do not use the Internet. Around five percent of people between the ages of 16 and 74, or about one in 20, will be so-called offliners in 2023, according to the Federal Statistical Office.

Among 65- to 74-year-olds, around 15 percent have never used the Internet, while among 45- to 64-year-olds, the figure was around five percent. In the 16- to 44-year-old age group, two percent were exclusively offline in 2023.

“Everyday life is becoming increasingly difficult for people without internet,” write the statisticians. This is because many services are now offered almost exclusively online – such as making appointments, booking tickets or making bank transfers.

2.6 billion people worldwide without internet

According to the information, Germany is just below the EU average of six percent offliners. In Luxembourg, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden, less than one percent of 16- to 74-year-olds said they had never used the Internet. According to the information, the highest proportions were recorded in Croatia with 14 percent, Greece with 13 percent and Portugal and Bulgaria with 12 percent each in this age group.

Around a third of the world’s population had no access to the Internet last year, or around 2.6 billion people, the Federal Office said, citing estimates from the United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU). In Europe – including non-EU countries – and the USA, the Internet is comparatively more accessible, but even there, according to estimates, nine percent (Europe) and 13 percent of the population were offline last year.

In Germany, 3.1 million people do not use the Internet. Around five percent of people between the ages of 16 and 74, or about one in 20, will be so-called offliners in 2023, according to the Federal Statistical Office.

Among 65- to 74-year-olds, around 15 percent have never used the Internet, while among 45- to 64-year-olds, the figure was around five percent. In the 16- to 44-year-old age group, two percent were exclusively offline in 2023.

“Everyday life is becoming increasingly difficult for people without internet,” write the statisticians. This is because many services are now offered almost exclusively online – such as making appointments, booking tickets or making bank transfers.

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