ONS reveals 16% of UK adults have never used the internet

Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that 7.82 million adults in the UK – 16% of the total adult population – have never used the internet.

The ONS statistics for the second quarter of 2012 show a 10% decline in the number of adults who have not used the internet.

Almost all 16 to 24 year olds (99%) have used the internet but only 29% of adults aged 75 years and over have used the internet.

A total of 87% of men have used the internet compared to 82% of women, said the ONS.

The research revealed that disabled people are three times more likely never to have used the internet than people without a disability.

London and south-east England have the highest rate of internet use with 88% of adults, while Northern Ireland had the lowest proportion of internet users, at 77%.

by Karl Flinders