INTERNET
Data & Research March 17, 2026 • Last updated: March 2026

INTERNET USAGE
STATISTICS
2026

80+ up-to-date statistics on internet usage worldwide, featuring the Netherlands as a leading digital economy case study. From penetration rates and daily screen time to device breakdown, social media, streaming, e-commerce, online banking, and privacy behavior. Compiled from research by CBS, Eurostat, Hootsuite/We Are Social, GfK, Multiscope, and more.

98%

internet penetration in the Netherlands

Source: CBS / Eurostat 2026

5:54

hours online per day (average)

Source: GWI / We Are Social 2026

17.4M

internet users in the Netherlands

Source: DataReportal 2026

STATISTICS OVERVIEW

The Netherlands has consistently ranked among the most digitally advanced countries in the world. With a 98% internet penetration rate and an average online time of nearly 6 hours per day, the internet is woven into virtually every aspect of daily life. From banking and shopping to entertainment and work, digital behavior is evolving at pace — making the Dutch market an ideal case study for global internet usage trends.

On this page, you will find 80+ up-to-date statistics on internet usage, compiled from research reports by CBS (Statistics Netherlands), Eurostat, Hootsuite/We Are Social, GfK, Multiscope, DataReportal, and other authoritative sources. Whether you are building a digital strategy, conducting market research, or seeking to understand how one of Europe's most connected populations uses the internet, this page provides the most current data available.

We cover every major dimension: from basic penetration figures and device breakdown to detailed data on social media usage, streaming, e-commerce, online banking, 5G adoption, and privacy behavior. Every statistic is cited with its source, so you can verify and use the data in your own research or presentations.

ACCESS
Section 1

INTERNET PENETRATION & ACCESS

98.1%

households with internet

CBS 2026

17.4M

total internet users

DataReportal 2026

96.7%

daily internet users

Eurostat 2026

118

Mbps average download speed

Ookla Speedtest 2026

INTERNET ACCESS BY CONNECTION TYPE

Fixed broadband (fiber/cable/DSL) 91%
Mobile internet (4G/5G) 94%
Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) 62%
5G coverage (geographic) 89%

Source: ACM Telecom Monitor 2026, CBS ICT Household Survey, Ookla 5G Map

  • 98.1% of Dutch households have internet access, up 0.4 percentage points from 2025. In urban areas penetration is 99.2%, in rural areas 96.8% (CBS 2026)
  • The average fixed internet speed in the Netherlands is 118 Mbps (download), ranking 6th in Europe behind Romania, France, Spain, Hungary, and Denmark (Ookla Speedtest Index Q1 2026)
  • 62% of households have fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) internet, an 11 percentage point increase in one year. Rollout is accelerating through investments from KPN, Open Dutch Fiber, and Glaspoort (ACM Telecom Monitor 2026)
  • The Netherlands has 22.4 million mobile subscriptions across a population of 17.8 million, equating to 126 subscriptions per 100 residents. Many Dutch people carry both personal and business plans (GSMA Intelligence 2026)
  • Only 1.9% of households lack internet access. The main reasons are lack of interest (62%), cost (18%), and insufficient digital skills (14%). This group consists primarily of single-person households aged 75+ (CBS 2026)
  • Average monthly internet costs are €52 for fixed broadband and €28 for a mobile data plan. The Netherlands is 12% more expensive than the EU average (Eurostat Digital Economy 2026)
  • WiFi 6/6E is available in 44% of Dutch households, double the figure from 2024. The average in-home WiFi speed is 87 Mbps (GfK Home Network Monitor 2026)
  • The digital divide is narrowing but persists: the internet penetration gap between highly educated (99.6%) and lower-educated (94.2%) populations is still 5.4 percentage points. For digital skills, the gap is wider: 88% vs. 62% (CBS 2026)
  • 96% of Dutch municipalities offer online public services, from permit applications to change-of-address filings. 78% of citizens prefer handling government matters online rather than in person (VNG Digital Services Monitor 2026)
  • The Netherlands has 847 data centers, the highest per capita in Europe. Amsterdam is the third-largest data center hub globally, after Virginia (US) and London. The sector consumes 3.2% of total Dutch electricity usage (Dutch Data Center Association 2026)
SCREEN
Section 2

DAILY USAGE & SCREEN TIME

5:54

hours online per day (average)

We Are Social 2026

8:12

hours online per day (ages 16-24)

GWI Netherlands 2026

142x

phone checks per day

Multiscope 2026

31%

of online time spent on social media

DataReportal 2026

ONLINE TIME DISTRIBUTION BY ACTIVITY

Social media
31%
1h 50m
Streaming/video
22%
1h 18m
Communication
14%
50m
Search/browsing
12%
43m
Online shopping
8%
28m
Gaming
7%
25m
Other
6%
20m

Source: We Are Social / DataReportal Digital 2026 Netherlands, GWI Netherlands Report

  • Total screen time increased by 14 minutes per day compared to 2025. The increase is primarily driven by more video streaming and AI tool usage (We Are Social 2026)
  • People spend 43 minutes per day actively searching for information via search engines, AI chatbots, and websites. 18% of this occurs through AI assistants like ChatGPT (GWI 2026)
  • Peak internet usage hours are 8:00-10:00 PM, when 74% of the Dutch population is simultaneously online. A second peak occurs around 12:00-1:00 PM during lunch breaks (Multiscope Media Diary 2026)
  • 62% of Dutch workers use the internet at work for non-work activities, averaging 47 minutes per workday. Social media and news sites are the most visited categories (GfK Digital Workplace 2026)
  • The average person actively uses 7.8 online accounts, spanning email, social media, online stores, and streaming services (Multiscope Online Monitor 2026)
  • 19% of the Dutch population experiences "digital fatigue" and has consciously taken steps to reduce screen time, such as setting app time limits or disabling notifications (GfK Consumer Life 2026)
  • The most visited websites from the Netherlands are: Google.nl (97% reach), YouTube (89%), Google.com (76%), Facebook (62%), Wikipedia (58%), bol.com (54%), nu.nl (52%), Amazon.nl (44%), and Marktplaats (42%) (Similarweb Netherlands 2026)
  • Email remains a daily activity for 91% of the Dutch population. The average person receives 38 emails per day (including newsletters and marketing) and sends 12 (Multiscope 2026)
  • Messaging apps are used daily by 96% of smartphone users. WhatsApp dominates with 13.5 million users. The average person sends 42 messages per day via messaging apps (Newcom Research 2026)
DEVICES
Section 3

DEVICE BREAKDOWN

94%

smartphone

CBS 2026

72%

laptop

CBS 2026

48%

tablet

CBS 2026

31%

desktop

CBS 2026

SHARE OF TOTAL INTERNET TIME BY DEVICE

Smartphone 62%
Laptop/desktop 24%
Tablet 8%
Smart TV / streaming device 6%

Source: GfK Device Usage Monitor 2026, Multiscope Crossmedia Report

  • 94% of Dutch people (aged 12+) own a smartphone, a plateau that has held steady for two years. Samsung (39%) is the most popular brand, followed by Apple (38%) and Xiaomi (8%) (GfK 2026)
  • 58% of households have an internet-connected Smart TV. Samsung and LG dominate with a combined 64% market share (GfK Consumer Electronics 2026)
  • Tablet ownership has declined for three consecutive years: from 54% in 2023 to 48% in 2026. Smartphones are increasingly replacing tablet use cases, except in education where tablet use continues to grow (CBS 2026)
  • 32% of the Dutch population wears an internet-connected wearable (smartwatch or fitness tracker), up 28% from 2024. Apple Watch (34%) and Garmin (22%) are market leaders (GfK Wearables Monitor 2026)
  • Desktop usage is in structural decline: from 42% in 2022 to 31% in 2026. Only for gaming (68%) and professional work (54%) does the desktop remain the preferred device (CBS ICT Usage 2026)
  • Multi-screen behavior is the norm: 67% of people regularly use two or more screens simultaneously, such as a phone and TV or a laptop and tablet (Multiscope Crossmedia 2026)
  • Voice assistants are used weekly by 28% of the population, via smartphone (72%), smart speaker (41%), or Smart TV (18%). The number of households with a smart speaker has risen to 2.8 million (Multiscope 2026)
  • Average mobile data consumption per smartphone is 8.4 GB per month, a 22% year-over-year increase. Video streaming and social media account for 74% of mobile data usage (GSMA Intelligence 2026)
  • Cars are increasingly becoming internet devices: 34% of new cars sold in the Netherlands have a built-in 5G modem for navigation, streaming, and OTA updates. Connected car data is a fast-growing market (RAI Association 2026)
SOCIAL
Section 4

SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE

SOCIAL MEDIA USERS IN THE NETHERLANDS (MILLIONS)

WhatsApp
13.5M
13.5M
YouTube
13.9M
13.9M
Facebook
10.4M
10.4M
Instagram
9.8M
9.8M
LinkedIn
6.8M
6.8M
TikTok
5.2M
5.2M
Snapchat
4.1M
4.1M
Pinterest
3.6M
3.6M

Source: Newcom Research Social Media Survey 2026, DataReportal / We Are Social

Social media accounts for 31% of total online time in the Netherlands, the largest single share. The average Dutch person is active on 5.2 platforms and spends 1 hour and 50 minutes per day on social media.

  • 84% of the Dutch population is active on social media, representing 14.8 million users. TikTok is growing fastest (+18% year-over-year) while Facebook is in slight decline (-3%) (DataReportal 2026)
  • WhatsApp is the most-used platform with 13.5 million users, though many studies classify it as a messaging app rather than social media (Newcom Research 2026)
  • The average person spends 1 hour and 50 minutes per day on social media, up 6 minutes from 2025. 82% of social media usage takes place on smartphones (GWI 2026)
  • 47% of the Dutch population uses social media as a news source, up 6 percentage points from 2025. TikTok (+41%) and Instagram (+22%) are growing fastest as news channels (Reuters Digital News Report 2026)
  • 42% of Dutch businesses use AI tools for creating social media content, from text generation to image creation (DDMA Digital Marketing Survey 2026)
STREAM
Section 5

STREAMING & ENTERTAINMENT

76%

households with streaming subscription

Multiscope 2026

2.4

streaming subscriptions per household

GfK 2026

1:18

hours streaming per day (avg.)

Multiscope 2026

€28

avg. monthly streaming spend

GfK 2026

STREAMING PLATFORM MARKET SHARE IN THE NETHERLANDS

Netflix 4.2M households
Disney+ 2.8M households
Videoland (RTL) 2.1M households
Amazon Prime Video 1.8M households
Spotify (audio) 5.6M users

Source: Multiscope Streaming Monitor 2026, GfK Entertainment Report

  • 76% of Dutch households have at least one streaming subscription, up 4 percentage points from 2025. The average household holds 2.4 subscriptions (Multiscope 2026)
  • Netflix remains the market leader with 4.2 million subscriber households, followed by Disney+ (2.8M), Videoland (2.1M), and Amazon Prime Video (1.8M). Apple TV+ is the fastest grower at +34% (GfK 2026)
  • The average Dutch household spends €28 per month on streaming, split between €16 for video and €12 for music/podcasts. 22% are considering canceling a subscription due to price increases (GfK Consumer Panel 2026)
  • Podcast listening continues to grow: 44% of the Dutch population (12+) listens monthly, an 8 percentage point increase over two years. Average listening time is 4.2 hours per week (Markteffect Podcast Monitor 2026)
  • Online gaming is an activity for 52% of the population. The average gamer plays 6.8 hours per week. Mobile gaming (68%) has overtaken console (42%) and PC (38%) as the most popular platform (Newzoo/GfK 2026)
  • Linear TV viewing time has dropped to 2 hours and 12 minutes per day on average, a decline of 18 minutes from 2025. Among 16-34 year olds, linear TV time is just 38 minutes per day (SKO/Foundation for Audience Research 2026)
  • Ad-supported streaming tiers are growing rapidly: 38% of Netflix subscribers in the Netherlands now choose the cheaper ad-supported plan, up from 24% in 2025 (Multiscope 2026)
SHOP
Section 6

E-COMMERCE & ONLINE SHOPPING

93%

shop online (ages 12+)

Thuiswinkel.org 2026

€38.2B

total e-commerce revenue (NL)

Thuiswinkel.org 2026

68%

shop on mobile (smartphone)

GfK 2026

€142

avg. order value

Thuiswinkel.org 2026

The Netherlands is one of the most mature e-commerce markets in the world. 93% of the online population shops regularly online, with a total market value of €38.2 billion — making it an important benchmark for global e-commerce trends.

  • The Dutch e-commerce market is worth €38.2 billion in 2026, a 9% increase from 2025. Digital services (streaming, software) are the fastest-growing category at +16% (Thuiswinkel.org 2026)
  • 68% of online purchases are made on smartphones, up from 62% in 2025. Bol.com, Amazon.nl, Coolblue, Zalando, and Albert Heijn are the top 5 webshops by visits (GfK E-commerce Monitor 2026)
  • iDEAL remains the dominant payment method at 72% market share, followed by credit card (12%), PayPal (8%), and buy-now-pay-later (6%). Apple Pay and Google Pay together account for 4% (Dutch Payments Association 2026)
  • Cross-border e-commerce is growing: 48% of online shoppers buy from foreign webshops, primarily from China (Temu, AliExpress: 34%), Germany (22%), and the US (18%) (PostNL Cross-border Barometer 2026)
  • Same-day and next-day delivery are the norm: 82% of online orders are delivered within 24 hours. 34% of consumers expect same-day delivery (Thuiswinkel.org 2026)
  • The average online return rate is 14%. Fashion has the highest return rate (28%), followed by shoes (22%) and electronics (8%). Return volumes cost Dutch webshops an estimated €1.2 billion per year (Thuiswinkel.org 2026)
  • Social commerce has grown to €2.1 billion in revenue in the Netherlands. 38% of consumers have purchased through social media. Instagram Shopping (22%) and TikTok Shop (14%) are the most-used channels (eMarketer 2026)
FINTECH
Section 7

ONLINE BANKING & FINTECH

95%

use online banking

CBS 2026

88%

bank via mobile app

Dutch Payments Association 2026

#1

in Europe for online banking

Eurostat 2026

41%

use a fintech app (Tikkie, Bunq)

GfK 2026

  • The Netherlands leads Europe in online banking with 95% adoption among internet users. Only Iceland (94%) and the Scandinavian countries come close. The EU average is 62% (Eurostat 2026)
  • 88% of online banking users primarily use a mobile app, up 6 percentage points from 2024. ING (5.2 million app users) and Rabobank (4.8 million) are the most-used banking apps (Dutch Payments Association 2026)
  • Contactless payment (NFC) is the standard: 89% of all debit card payments in physical stores are contactless. The average number of card transactions per person is 312 per year (Dutch Payments Association 2026)
  • Tikkie processes 2.4 million transactions per day and has 9.2 million registered users. The average Tikkie payment is €18.40 (ABN AMRO 2026)
  • 41% of the Dutch population uses a fintech app alongside traditional banking apps. Bunq (1.2 million NL users), Revolut (890,000), and N26 (420,000) are the most popular (GfK Financial Services Monitor 2026)
  • Crypto ownership has stabilized at 14%: approximately 2.5 million Dutch people own cryptocurrency. Bitcoin (82%) and Ethereum (61%) are the most held cryptos. The average portfolio value is €3,200 (AFM Crypto Monitor 2026)
  • Open Banking (PSD2) is consciously used by 18% of the population, via apps that provide insight into multiple bank accounts simultaneously. Awareness stands at 42%, but active usage trails behind (DNB FinTech Monitor 2026)
DEMO
Section 8

AGE GROUPS & DEMOGRAPHICS

INTERNET PENETRATION BY AGE GROUP

Ages 12-17
100%
100%
Ages 18-24
100%
100%
Ages 25-44
99.4%
99.4%
Ages 45-64
98.2%
98.2%
Ages 65-74
93.6%
93.6%
Ages 75+
72.4%
72.4%

Source: CBS ICT Household & Individual Usage 2026, Eurostat Digital Skills Indicator

Young People (Ages 12-24)

  • 12-17 year olds spend an average of 7 hours and 26 minutes online per day, split across social media (38%), gaming (22%), streaming (18%), and homework/school (14%) (Multiscope Youth Monitor 2026)
  • TikTok is the favorite platform among 12-17 year olds (87% daily usage), followed by Snapchat (82%), Instagram (76%), and YouTube (74%). Facebook is used by only 12% of teens (Newcom Research 2026)
  • 92% of Dutch teens have their own smartphone by age 11. The average age at which children receive their first smartphone is 9.8 years, down 0.4 years from 2024 (GfK Family Monitor 2026)

Adults (Ages 25-64)

  • 25-44 year olds are the most intensive e-commerce users: 97% buy online monthly, with an average spend of €248 per month. Fashion (64%), electronics (48%), and food delivery (42%) are the most popular categories (Thuiswinkel.org 2026)
  • The working population (25-64) spends 3.8 hours per workday on work-related internet use, excluding email. Video conferencing (Teams, Zoom) accounts for 52 minutes of this (CBS / TNO Work Monitor 2026)
  • 45-64 year olds are the fastest-growing user group for AI tools: 28% have used ChatGPT or similar AI assistants, a threefold increase from 2024 (GfK Digital Consumer 2026)

Seniors (Ages 65+)

  • Internet usage among those 75+ has risen to 72.4%, an 8 percentage point increase over two years. The COVID pandemic served as a lasting catalyst for adoption (CBS 2026)
  • The most-used online services by those 65+ are: email (94%), news sites (82%), online banking (78%), webshops (64%), and video calling (58%). Social media is used by 48%, primarily Facebook (GfK Senior Monitor 2026)
  • 28% of those 75+ without internet say they simply do not want it, 24% cannot afford it, and 18% lack the digital skills. Libraries and community centers increasingly offer digital assistance (CBS 2026)
EUROPE
Section 9

EU COUNTRY COMPARISON

INTERNET PENETRATION IN EUROPE (TOP 10)

Iceland 99.0%
Denmark 99.0%
Netherlands 98.1%
Sweden 97.8%
Norway 97.6%
Finland 96.8%
Luxembourg 96.4%
Germany 94.6%

Source: Eurostat Information Society Statistics 2026. EU average: 91.0%

  • The Netherlands ranks 3rd in Europe for internet penetration (98.1%), behind Iceland and Denmark (both 99%). The EU average is 91%, placing the Netherlands well above the mean (Eurostat 2026)
  • For e-commerce, the Netherlands ranks even higher: 2nd in the EU. 93% of internet users shop online — only Denmark (95%) scores higher. The EU average is 73% (Eurostat 2026)
  • In online banking, the Netherlands is the undisputed number 1 in Europe at 95% adoption. The Scandinavian countries follow at 90-94%, while Southern European countries like Italy (48%) and Greece (36%) lag far behind (Eurostat 2026)
  • For internet speeds, the Netherlands ranks 6th in Europe with an average download of 118 Mbps. Romania (198 Mbps) and France (178 Mbps) lead, thanks to extensive fiber networks (Ookla Speedtest Index 2026)
  • The Netherlands has the highest digital skills score in the EU: 80% of the population has "above-basic" digital competencies, compared to the EU average of 56%. Finland (79%) and Sweden (76%) follow (Eurostat DESI 2026)
  • The Netherlands has the lowest "never online" rate in the EU: only 1.2% of 16-74 year olds have not used the internet in the past year. In Romania this figure is 16%, in Bulgaria 21% (Eurostat 2026)
5G
Section 10

5G ADOPTION & CONNECTIVITY

42%

mobile users on 5G

GSMA 2026

89%

5G coverage (geographic)

ACM 2026

312

Mbps avg. 5G download

Ookla 2026

+68%

5G user growth YoY

GSMA 2026

  • 42% of Dutch mobile users have an active 5G connection, up 68% from 2025 (25%). Adoption is driven by new phone models that support 5G by default (GSMA Intelligence 2026)
  • The 5G network now covers 89% of Dutch territory. In the Randstad urban region, coverage is 97%; in rural areas, 78%. Full nationwide coverage is expected by mid-2027 (ACM Telecom Monitor 2026)
  • Average 5G download speed in the Netherlands is 312 Mbps, over 6 times faster than the average 4G speed of 52 Mbps. Upload speeds average 48 Mbps on 5G vs. 14 Mbps on 4G (Ookla Speedtest 2026)
  • KPN, T-Mobile, and Vodafone all offer nationwide 5G services. KPN has the highest average speed (348 Mbps), T-Mobile the best coverage (92%), and Vodafone the lowest latency (8 ms) (Tweakers/Ookla comparison test 2026)
  • 5G Standalone (SA) availability remains limited: only 18% of 5G connections run on standalone. The rest use Non-Standalone (NSA), which falls back on 4G infrastructure. SA offers lower latency (4-8 ms vs. 12-20 ms) and network slicing (ACM 2026)
  • Average mobile data consumption per person has risen to 8.4 GB per month, a 22% increase from 2025. 5G users consume an average of 40% more data than 4G users (GSMA 2026)
  • IoT connections are growing explosively: the Netherlands has 24 million active IoT SIM cards, more than its population. Smart energy meters (8.2M), connected vehicles (3.1M), and industrial IoT (2.8M) are the largest categories (ACM 2026)
PRIVACY
Section 11

PRIVACY BEHAVIOR & SECURITY

72%

concerned about online privacy

Eurobarometer 2026

61%

regularly decline cookies

GfK 2026

38%

use an ad blocker

Multiscope 2026

22%

use a VPN

GWI 2026

  • 72% of Dutch internet users are concerned about online privacy, but only 34% take active measures such as VPN usage, privacy browsers, or limiting app permissions (Eurobarometer / GfK 2026)
  • 61% of the Dutch population regularly declines cookies on websites. The Netherlands scores above the European average at 78% cookie rejection (at least sometimes), compared to the EU average of 58% (GfK Privacy Monitor 2026)
  • 38% of the population uses an ad blocker, a slight decline from 2025 (40%). The decrease is attributed to browsers that offer better built-in privacy protection by default (Multiscope Ad Acceptance Monitor 2026)
  • 22% use a VPN, especially younger users (18-34: 32%), primarily for bypassing geo-restrictions (64%), privacy (48%), and work (34%). NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN are the most popular services (GWI Netherlands 2026)
  • Password managers are used by 31% of the population, up 6 percentage points in one year. 48% still use the same password for multiple accounts (CBS Cybersecurity 2026)
  • Two-factor authentication (2FA) is actively used by 56%, primarily for banking (92%), email (48%), and social media (34%). SMS verification (68%) remains more popular than authenticator apps (32%) (CBS Cybersecurity 2026)
  • 14% of the Dutch population fell victim to online fraud in the past year, with total damages of €124 million. Phishing (42%), identity fraud (22%), and marketplace scams (18%) are the most common forms (Police Cybercrime Monitor 2026)
  • Younger users (18-34) are notably less privacy-conscious than those 35+: 52% share personal information in exchange for discounts or personalized content, compared to 24% among those 50+ (GfK Consumer Life 2026)
Summary

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1

98% Internet Penetration

The Netherlands is almost entirely online. Only 1.9% of households lack internet access, primarily single-person households aged 75+.

2

Smartphone Dominance

94% smartphone ownership, 62% of internet time on mobile. Desktop drops to 31%. Mobile-first is no longer a trend — it is the reality.

3

6 Hours Online Per Day

Social media (31%), streaming (22%), and communication (14%) account for the lion's share. Young people spend 8+ hours online daily.

4

E-Commerce & Banking: EU Leaders

93% shop online, 95% bank online. The Netherlands leads Europe in online banking and ranks 2nd for e-commerce adoption.

5

The AI Revolution Is Underway

34% use AI chatbots, 18% of all search queries go through AI. The shift toward AI-driven interactions is accelerating every month.

6

5G Is Accelerating Everything

42% on 5G, 89% coverage, 312 Mbps average speed. The infrastructure for the next generation of digital services is in place.

METHODOLOGY & SOURCES

The statistics on this page are compiled from publicly available research reports by reputable organizations. We regularly update this page with the latest data. Key sources include:

Disclaimer: Figures are sourced from the most recent available editions of the cited reports. Some statistics represent preliminary results or estimates. This page is compiled for informational purposes and does not constitute financial or strategic advice. For tailored advice, contact an AI marketing agency that works data-driven.

FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the internet penetration rate in the Netherlands in 2026?

In 2026, 98.1% of all Dutch households have internet access, representing approximately 17.4 million internet users. This places the Netherlands in the top 3 in Europe for internet penetration, alongside Denmark (99%) and Iceland (99%). The only significant group without internet access are single-person households aged 75+. Looking to leverage this data for your marketing strategy? Discover what an AI marketing agency can do for you.

How much time do people spend online per day in 2026?

The average Dutch person spends 5 hours and 54 minutes online per day. Young adults (16-24) lead with 8 hours and 12 minutes, while those 65+ average 3 hours and 18 minutes per day. Of total online time, 31% goes to social media, 22% to streaming, and 14% to communication (email, messaging). Total screen time increased by 14 minutes per day in 2026 compared to 2025.

What device do people use most for internet access?

The smartphone is the most-used device for internet access at 94% ownership, followed by laptops (72%), tablets (48%), and desktops (31%). In terms of screen time, smartphones dominate with 62% of total internet usage. Smart TVs are used by 58% of households for internet services like streaming. Desktop usage is in structural decline: from 42% in 2022 to 31% in 2026.

How does the Netherlands compare to other EU countries for internet usage?

The Netherlands ranks 3rd in the EU for internet penetration (98.1%), behind Denmark and Iceland (both 99%). For e-commerce, it ranks 2nd (93% shop online), and for online banking, it is number 1 (95%). The Netherlands also has the highest digital skills score in the EU: 80% of the population has "above-basic" digital competencies, compared to the EU average of 56%.

What percentage of mobile users have 5G in 2026?

In 2026, 42% of Dutch mobile users have a 5G connection, a 68% increase from 2025. The 5G network covers 89% of Dutch territory. Average 5G download speeds reach 312 Mbps, over 6 times faster than 4G (52 Mbps). Full nationwide coverage is expected by mid-2027. IoT connections are growing alongside: the Netherlands already has 24 million active IoT SIM cards.

How do internet users handle online privacy?

72% of the Dutch population is concerned about online privacy, but only 34% take active measures. 61% regularly decline cookies, 38% use an ad blocker, and 22% use a VPN. The Netherlands scores above the European average for cookie rejection (78% vs. 58%). Notably, younger users (18-34) are less privacy-conscious than those 35+ — 52% share personal information in exchange for discounts. Learn more about how AI-driven marketing works in a privacy-first way.

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Ruud ten Have

Compiled by

Ruud ten Have

Ruud is a digital marketer with 10+ years of experience in online advertising and AI implementation. At Searchlab, he combines strategic thinking with hands-on AI tooling to deliver measurable results for businesses.