Almost two thirds of Internet users utilize instant messaging
Almost two thirds of Internet users utilize instant messaging
Bucharest, August 26th, 2010 - GfK Romania also investigated in Roper Reports 2010, the international study that examines consumers’ values and lifestyles, the Internet usage habits of the Romanian, including the social networks.
Research results show that 55% of urban Romanians, aged 15+, use the computer at least once a month, and 51% access the Internet monthly or more often.
In Romania, the Internet is used primarily to "chat" with friends and family and for fun. As compared to consumers in other parts of the world, Romanians use the instant messaging to a much greater extent: 63% of Internet users in the cities of Romania, as compared to 32% of internet users in 26 countries on all continents. Users in other states prefer instead to keep in touch with friends and family by e-mail: 66% do so at least monthly, compared with 50% of Romanian users
Another important role the Internet plays is the one of source of entertainment. In Romania, in the urban area, 44% of users listen to music or radio online, 39% watch short movies or other video broadcasts, 36% download audio and video files and 31% download video files. Although consumers in other countries look for online entertainment, there are some differences. Global Internet users watch video broadcasts to the same extent as those in the cities of Romania (40%), but fewer of them download video files (only 19%). Also, at the level of the 26 countries analyzed, compared to Romania, a lower proportion of Internet users listen to music online (39%) or download it (31%
The usefulness of the Internet grows ever more, beyond the communication, information and entertainment opportunities it offers. It is used by an increasing number of users in order to shop, make payments or manage bank accounts. In the countries analyzed by GfK Roper Reports, 45% of the consumers using the Internet buy online products or services monthly or more often, 43% do banking transactions, and 31% pay bills using this channel. In Romania the situation is very different, for the time being, the Internet trading is relatively low. On average, only 13% of urban users shop on the Internet at least monthly, 7% do banking transactions and 6% pay bills.
Social networks and online communities are visited by more and more people. 39% of all Internet users aged 15+ worldwide visit such websites at least monthly. Popularity of social networks is lower in the cities of Romania, yet 26% of those who use the Internet attend them at least once a month
The main purpose is to keep friends and family up-dated about them, but especially to see what is going on in their life. Another reason named by most of the users for attending the online social networks is the one of getting to know and exchanging ideas with people who have similar interests and hobbies. Not least, although the role of catalyst of professional relationships that the online communities have is lower, a significant number of users seek business and employment opportunities using this channel.
About GfK Roper Reports
GfK Roper Reports’ purpose is to analyze the personal values and lifestyles of consumers worldwide. Globally, the survey has been conducted annually since 1997 and in Romania since 2008. In February and March 2010 over 37,000 people aged 15+ were interviewed, in 26 countries, on all continents. In Romania the urban population aged 15 + is analyzed, in a 1,000 respondents sample
GfK Romania
GfK Romania, founded in 1992, is an integral part of GfK Group. For 10 years now GfK Romania has been the number 1 market research institute in Romania. Its activities are structured into five segments: Custom Research - Ad Hoc qualitative and quantitative research for a wide range of industries (consumer goods, telecommunications and IT, finance, retail, tourism, automotive, industrial goods), Consumer Tracking – continuous research for consumer goods, Retail and Technology - continuous research for durable goods, Media - qualitative and quantitative research on the consumption of media products and Healthcare- qualitative and quantitative research in all medical fields.
Founded in 1934, as the first market research company in Germany, GfK Group has today more than 150 branches in 100 countries on five continents. GfK Group is one of the largest market research organizations in the world. For further information, visit the website: www.gfk-ro.com
