INDIA : Survey Reports What Senior Netizens Do On Line

MUMBAI, February 27, 2006: More and more successful senior Indians are enjoying living life to the fullest and have adopted and adapted to the Internet Space. A new report from the Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) takes a comprehensive look at what Senior Netizens do online, irrespective of whether retired, salaried or entrepreneurs. Senior Netizens above the age group of 61 years were targeted for this Research. It was observed that the Senior citizens were a fast growing group of online users. India's Internet population is expected to reach 100 million by 2007-08 from the current 38.5 million. The absolute numbers of Senior Netizens are expected to rise to 3 million by 2007-08. The percentage penetration is expected to remain the same or increase marginally from the current 2.7% to 3%. This dipstick research was conducted by the IAMAI in collaboration with Crosstab Marketing Services that surveyed 101 respondents in Dec 2005. The research was undertaken with a view to understand usage of Internet by Senior Netizens with a primary focus on understanding their activities online giving marketers a better perspective while designing their marketing and promotional progra to cater to a defined online Target Audience. Ms.Preeti Desai, President, IAMAI, comments: "It is encouraging to see Senior Netizens as enthusiastic as youngsters in a variety of activities that define Online Life and show an Online Maturity in transacting online that surpasses the general population. "Senior Netizens will cross the 3 million mark by 2007-08. The report showcases that 15% of Senior Netizens access the Internet from Cyber Cafes with 81% using the Internet for more than 5 hours a week. "The findings of report highlight that 62% use the Internet for Looking Up News Online and 2% read news on their mobile, a changing paradigm since it is this demographic that is the backbone of the newspaper and magazine readership. "When it comes to matters of confidence of transacting on the Internet, senior netizens are well ahead of the General Population with 26% of senior netizens having looked up stock quotes and do stock trading as compared to 15% of all Internet users with 38% using the internet for Online Banking Services and 21% for Online Shopping." Gender of Senior Netizens: 87% of Senior Netizens are Male and 13% of Senior Netizens are Female. With India's Internet population poised to reach 100 million by 2007-08 the online Senior Netizen currently at 2.7% is expected to rise marginally to 3% by 2007-08. Marital Status of Senior Netizens: 91% of Senior Netizens are Married with Kids and 8% are Married without Kids. Regional Representation: The top 9 cities make up for more than 77% of Senior Netizens audience. The top 5 cities include – 23% of Senior Netizens access the Internet from Delhi+, 22% from Mumbai, 12% from Chennai, 4% from Hyderabad and Kolkatta. 3% from Bangalore, Lucknow and Cochin; 2% from Ahmedabad and Jaipur. The top 5 states include 24% of Senior Netizens access the Internet from Delhi, 23% access from Maharashtra, 17% are from Tamil Nadu, 10% from Karnataka; and 6% from Andhra Pradesh. 4% from Kerala; 4% from West Bengal; 3% from Uttar Pradesh; 2% from Gujarat and Rajasthan. Educational Qualifications of Senior Netizens: 4% of Senior Netizens have an education up to SSC/HSC, 10% have some college (Including. Diploma) but not a graduate, 37% have a Graduate / Post-Graduate General (BA, BSC. C, B.com etc.) and 35% have a Graduate /Post Graduate Professional Degree. Occupation of Senior Netizens: 2% of Senior Netizens are Mid Level Executives and 9% of Senior Netizens are Senior Executives while 16% are Self Employed/Professional, 4% of Senior Netizens are Businessman / Industrialists, 4% are Housewives and 54% of Senior Netizens are retired. Plastic Ownership and Usage: 80% of Senior Netizens Online own an ATM Card; 65% own a Credit Card and Debit Card. 31% of Senior Netizens use their Credit Cards online; 16% of Senior Netizens use their Debit Cards online; 9% of Senior Netizens use both Credit & Debit Cards Online. Internet Access by Senior Netizens: 94% of Senior Netizens access the Internet from Home; 20% of Senior Netizens access Internet from the Office; 14% of Senior Netizens access the Internet from Cyber Cafes. Internet Savvyness of Senior Netizens: 45% of Senior Netizens have been using the Internet for more than 6 years; 44% of Senior Netizens have been using the Internet for 3-5 years; 7% have been using the Internet since 1-2 years; 1% of Senior Netizens have been using the Internet for 6-11 months; 2% of Senior Netizens have been using the Internet for less than 6 months. Time Spent by Senior Netizens: 20% of Senior Netizens use the Internet for more than 21 hours a week; 29% of Senior Netizens use the Internet for 11-20 hours a week; 32% of Senior Netizens use the Internet for 5-10 hours a week; 17% of Senior Netizens use the Internet for upto 5 hours a week. Senior Netizens use the Internet for varied purposes - Online Activities: The top Internet activities among seniors who go online: 99% of wired seniors have used email; 70% surf for information online; 66% use search engines; 62% have read the news online; 47% chat online; 38% bank online; and 26% have stock traded online. Email 99% of Senior Netizens use the Internet for Emailing. Chatting 47% of Senior Netizens use the Internet for Chatting. Surfing 70% of Senior Netizens use the Internet for Surfing. Search 66% of Senior Netizens use Search Engines. Research 23% of Senior Netizens use the Internet to Research. Senior Netizens didn't grow up with the personal computer and are fervent readers of the printed word. They are the backbone of newspaper and magazine readership. It's a remarkable achievement for both the interactive mediu to attract this demographic as stated by below mentioned statistics. News Online 62% of Senior Netizens look up news online. News on Mobile 2% of Senior Netizens read news on their mobile. Matrimonial Purposes 17% of Senior Netizens use the Internet for 'Matrimonial Search". Jobs 20% of Senior Netizens use the Internet to Search for Jobs. Astrology 22% of Senior Netizens use the Internet for Astrological Predictions Religious & Spiritual Information 19% use the Internet for Spiritual Information. Financial Transactions Online: • Online Auctions 12% of Senior Netizens use the Internet to participate in an Online Auctions • Online Stock Trading When it comes to finances, wired seniors are much ahead of the general Internet population's enthusiasm for trades online. 26% percent of seniors have looked up stock quotes and do stock trading as compared to 15% of all Internet users. • Online Bill Payments 21% of Senior Netizens use the Internet for Online Bill Payments • Online Banking While seniors appear comfortable managing online portfolios, they are more comfortable dealing with their bank accounts in cyberspace as 38% use online banking services. • Online Shopping 21% of Senior Netizens use the Internet for Online Shopping • Donating or Charity Online 5% of Senior Netizens donate online. Obtain a free copy of the Report from INTERNET AND MOBILE ASSOCIATION of INDIA 406, Readymoney Terrace 167, Dr Anne Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai 400 018. India. Ph: 91 022 56218635/24954574 Email: info@iamai.in Or by registering on http://www.iamai.in Price: Free Release Date: February 27, 2006 Pages: 22 Tables & Charts: 17 Copyright Internet & Mobile Association of India. All rights reserved