Four Percent of the German Population Remains Offline

According to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, approximately 2.8 million people in the country have never used the Internet, making up about four percent of the population. This figure highlights a significant digital divide, particularly among different age groups.

The highest percentage of non-Internet users is found in the 65 to 74 age bracket, where 11 percent of this demographic is permanently offline. In contrast, only two percent of individuals aged 16 to 44 fall into the same category. There has been a slight decrease in the number of non-users compared to the previous year, dropping from 3.1 million to 2.8 million.

In a broader European context, Germany's offline population is close to the EU average of five percent, similar to Austria. In stark contrast, countries such as Sweden and the Netherlands boast advanced digital public services and widespread electronic payment systems, resulting in less than one percent of their populations remaining offline--the lowest figures in the EU. Conversely, Croatia and Greece have the highest offline rates, with 14 and 11 percent of their populations, respectively, lacking Internet access.

Globally, about one-third of the world's population is still offline, according to estimates from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), translating to approximately 2.6 billion individuals. The continent with the fewest Internet users is Africa, although there has been rapid growth over the past five years, with the percentage of Internet users rising from 25 percent to 38 percent by 2024. High access costs and inadequate infrastructure continue to hinder broader Internet adoption in many regions, with satellite Internet often being a more affordable option than traditional wired connections.