A new study from Age UK, which was collated by Eurostat, has revealed that British senior citizens (i.e. those aged 55-74) are more accustomed to using the internet than their European counterparts. Some 43% of the UK's older population use the Internet frequently compared to an EU average of just 28%.

However, while the UK's senior citizens appear to be ahead of most other European heavyweights (Germany and France), we are still behind Scandinavian countries like Luxembourg, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands and Sweden where more than half of the entire population aged 55-74 make frequent trips online.

EU Rank 2010 (EU Average 28%)
For people aged 55-74 who frequently use the Internet

1. Luxembourg 58%
1. Norway 58%
3. Denmark 55%
4. Netherlands 54%
4. Sweden 54%
6. Finland 47%
7. UK 43%
8. France 40%
9. Belgium 36%
10. Germany 33%
11. Austria 27%
12. Estonia 22%
13. Hungary 21%
14. Slovenia 20%
14. Slovakia 20%

Sadly some 6 million people aged 65+ in the UK have never been online and as a result Age UK has launched Myfriends Online Week 2011 (21st - 27th March 2011). This calls upon people with Internet skills to pass on their knowledge to an older friend, family member or neighbour who has never been online, or for older people to attend a local training event. Sounds a lot like the recent EU Get Online Week.


Apparently 63% of people aged 65+, those who have actually managed to use the internet, experienced improved contact with friends and family. Meanwhile 24% of the 6 million who do not use the internet feel that the Internet would be a useful way of keeping in contact with friends and family, they just need a little help to do it first.