In 2024, people in the EU widely used the internet for cultural purposes. The most common activity was watching TV or videos online, reported by 79% of internet users. This was followed by reading online news sites, newspapers or news magazines (70%), listening to or downloading music (65%) and playing or downloading games (34%).

The highest shares of internet users watching TV or videos online were recorded in the Netherlands and Finland (both 96%) and Cyprus (94%), while the lowest were observed in Romania (44%), Bulgaria (55%) and Slovakia (63%).

Reading news online (from sites, newspapers or magazines) was reported by 91% of internet users in Czechia, 90% in Finland and 89% in Cyprus. By contrast, the lowest shares were in Romania (50%), France (56%) and Italy (62%).

Use of internet for selected cultural purposes, 2024, % of individuals who used internet in the 3 months before the survey. Chart. See link to the full dataset below.

Source dataset: isoc_ci_ac_i

Over one-third of users bought cultural goods and services online

In 2024, 36% of internet users in the EU purchased some kind of cultural goods and services online. 

Subscriptions were popular, particularly those to films, series and sports streaming services (30%) and to music streaming services (21%).

One-quarter of internet users (25%) bought tickets to events. 

When it comes to reading habits, printed books, magazines and newspapers (16%) were more popular than e-books and audio books (7%).

Additionally, internet users paid to download software (11%), games (10%) and a minor part purchased physical copies of other audiovisual contents such as music and films or series (6%).

Use of internet for buying cultural goods and services in the last 3 months, EU, 2024, % of individuals who used internet  in the 3 months before the survey. Chart. See link to the full dataset below.

Source dataset: isoc_ec_ibgs