There are now 44.7 million recent internet users in the UK. However there are digital divides between the young and old, and even across gender.

Unsurprisingly, 16-24 year olds are leading the way with 99% being internet users. While, internet use by people aged 75 and over is less common at 33%, they’ve been catching up since 2013 when the rate was 29%.

The greatest internet use is in the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire region at 92%, while the lowest remains to be in Northern Ireland at 80%. So, what does this tell us about the UK?

1. Increase in people aged 75+ using the internet

The number of those who have never used the internet has decreased. However, the number of lapsed internet users has risen.

2. Internet users up 2.4 million since 2013

44.7 million adults (86%) in the UK had recently used the internet in the beginning of 2015.

3. Number of adults who had never used the internet down 1.2 million since 2013

5.9 million adults (11%) had never used the internet in 2015, down from 14% in 2013.

4. Top 5 with highest rate of internet users

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire area had the highest proportion of recent internet users (92%).

5. Top 5 with highest rate of internet non-users

Northern Ireland had the lowest proportion of internet users, followed by the Highlands and Islands.

For more information, please contact: digitalcontent@ons.gov.uk