In 2012, 48.7 percent of Romanians with aged over 15 used the internet, an increase of 8.4 percentage points from 2010. In rural areas, there was an 11 percentage points growth in internet use, according to a GfK study.

The study shows 33 percent of people in rural areas used the internet in 2012. In urban areas, 61 percent of the population used the internet last year, an increase of 6.7 percentage points on 2010. Internet use was highest in Bucharest, where 68 percent of people aged over 15 went online. Also the percentage of women using the internet in 2012 increased to little over 47 percent, while the figure for men was approximately 50 percent.

Around 83 percent of people aged 15-24 use the internet, 71 percent of those between 25 and 34 and 62 percent of those between 35 and 44. "It is interesting to note that the biggest increase in internet was among mature people, 35-44 years (more than 15 percent higher than in 2010). A significant increase of approximately 8 percent is noteworthy for the age range of 45-54," says the study.

Traian Nastase, Online Project Manager GfK Romania, declared that the emergence of gadgets, expansion of internet providers and gaining popularity among consumers who were previously reluctant to use the internet are just a few factors that support accelerated growth of Internet usage. Many companies are rethinking their business, building digital consumer strategy approaches.

Ioana Toader, ioana.toader@romania-insider.com