41% of Filipino adults are internet users – SWS

MANILA, Philippines — Four in 10 or only 41 percent of Filipino adults are internet users, according to a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The number of Filipino internet users in the third quarter of 2018 rose by a point from 40 percent in June.

The poll, taken from Sept. 15 to 23, used face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults, 18 years old and above nationwide.

The SWS said internet use remained highest in Metro Manila and other urban areas.

It increased by four points in Metro Manila, from 60 percent in June to 64 percent in September.

Internet use also went up in balance Luzon, hitting a new record-high 47 percent in September from 42 percent in June. It surpassed the area’s previous record of 43 percent in June last year.

However, it fell by nine points in the Visayas, from the record-high 37 percent in June to 28 percent in September.

It also dropped in Mindanao, from 29 percent in June to 27 percent in September.

The proportion of internet users has always been higher in urban areas at 54 percent in September (up from 53 percent in June), compared to rural areas at 31 percent in September (up from 28 percent in June), the SWS said.

In September, 55 percent of respondents from class ABC said they use the internet, down from 62 percent in June.

This was followed by class D at 43 percent (up from 42 percent) and class E at 28 percent (up from 25 percent).

Internet use has also been higher among women, at 42 percent in September (down from the 45 percent in June), compared to men, at 40 percent (up from 36 percent).

According to the pollster, internet use has always been highest among younger Filipinos.

It was highest among 18 to 24 year olds at 81 percent in September (down from 82 percent in June); followed by 25 to 34 year olds at 65 percent (up from 64 percent); 35 to 44 year olds at 44 percent (up from 41 percent); 45 to 54 year olds at 27 percent (down from 31 percent) and those 55 years old and above at 12 percent (down from 14 percent).

By educational attainment, internet use has always been highest among college graduates at 73 percent in September, down from 78 percent in June.

This was followed by high school graduates at 56 percent (up from 55 percent); elementary graduates at 26 percent (up from 21 percent) and non-elementary school graduates at nine percent (unchanged from June).