Cyprus

There were 335,000 internet users in Cyprus (representing 30.9% of the population) in December 2009, according to Internet World Stats. This was up by 179.2% compared to 2000. (Internet World Stats, April 2010) 

An increase was observed in the number of individuals in Cyprus that used the internet during the first quarter 2009, from 38,8% in 2008 to 47,9% in 2009, according to the ICT Usage in Households and by Individuals survey 2009 by Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus. 

Individuals 16-24 years old (81,7%) and students (93,9%) are the more frequent internet users.  The most popular internet activities among Cypriots are finding information about goods or services, and sending or receiving e-mails. (Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus, November 2009)

The internet was accessed at least once in 52.8% of the households in Cyprus, in the first quarter of 2009 (compared to 42.9% in 2008), according to the ICT Usage in Households and by Individuals survey 2009 by Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus. The survey was carried out for the fifth consecutive year in all member states of the European Union. The survey covered 1,551 households and 3,535 individuals 16 -74 years old. (Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus, November 2009)

Gender

Men are using the internet more frequently than women in Cyprus, according to the ICT Usage in Households and by Individuals survey 2009 by Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus. Frequent users among men and women are 47.9% and 41.7% respectively. (Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus, November 2009) 

The percentage of individuals making online orders had a remarkable increase during 2009, according to the ICT Usage in Households and by Individuals survey 2009 by Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus. 13% of Cypriots made orders of goods or services for private use over the internet during the first quarter of 2009, compared to 6.8% in the first quarter of 2008.

The main reason why Cypriots 16 - 74 years old are not buying goods and services online is force of habit and loyalty to shops; they prefer to shop in person and to see the product before buying it. (Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus, November 2009)

Tickets for travel and holiday accommodation was what most of the people order over the internet in Cyprus  in the first quarter of 2009, according to the ICT Usage in Households and by Individuals survey 2009 by Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus. 39.1% of Cypriots who ordered goods or services over the internet in the last 12 months, ordered tickets for travel and holiday accommodation. (Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus, November 2009) 

Over the last years, there has been a steady increase in broadband connections and a simultaneous decrease in narrowband connections (Modem, ISDN) in Cyprus, according to the ICT Usage in Households and by Individuals survey 2009 by Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus. 90% of the households with Internet access had a broadband connection in the first quarter of 2009. (Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus, November 2009)