Internet usage in Central and Eastern Europe - statistics & facts

Increased access to the internet played a crucial role in developing digital services and online behavior in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Internet penetration is lower in Eastern Europe than in Western Europe; however, as the region's digital economy catches up with the rest of Europe, the share of enterprises and households using the internet has increased. The rate of digital adoption also recently grew due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, as restrictions on in-person contact resulted in a higher demand for online services.

Internet access across the region varies

Two of the biggest internet markets in the CEE region are Estonia and Latvia. The penetration of internet users in the Baltics is also high for mobile internet and social media usage. However, in other countries such as Ukraine and Bulgaria, internet usage is among the lowest in the region and Europe. In 2021, just 68 percent of the Ukrainian population was using the internet. Households with internet access grew rapidly across the region in the 2000s and into the 2010s; only 25 percent of Bulgarian households had access to the internet in 2008, whereas now the majority of households are online.

What is the internet used for?

Individuals use the internet for various reasons - from social activities, such as messaging, voice calls, emails, and accessing social media, to online entertainment, including streaming videos, music, and gaming. Populations in the CEE region are no exception. In 2021, the popularity of social media was among the highest in Romania, where 82 percent of internet users took part in the many activities it offers, including communication. In Czechia, however, the most used method of communication was the old but still effective email. The vast majority of the country's population was also interested in product and service research, with 89 percent of users engaging in this activity on the internet, the same share as in Hungary.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Statista Research Department, Jun 12, 2023

Key insights

Number of internet users in Eastern Europe
201.07m
Internet penetration rate in Eastern Europe
86.9%
Country with the highest internet user penetration rate in CEE region
Latvia
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Overview

10

Overview

Bulgaria

9

Bulgaria

Czechia

9

Czechia

Hungary

10

Hungary

Poland

10

Poland

Romania

9

Romania

Russia

9

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Slovakia

9

Slovakia

Ukraine

10

Ukraine

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Internet usage in Africa

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