SocialUsage analysis of Eurostat
The age gap in European social-network participation
Two age groups. One common measure. A calculation you can reproduce.
Data through 2025 · Analysis published 1 October 2026
separate social-network participation among EU individuals aged 16–24 and those aged 65–74.
2025 · All individuals in each age band · Private-purpose activity in the last three months
SocialUsage calculation: 90.45 − 34.1 = 56.35 percentage points. Source: Eurostat, isoc_ci_ac_i, EU27_2020 / I_IUSNET / PC_IND / 2025.
A difference in reported participation
90.5% of EU individuals aged 16–24 participated in social networks, compared with 34.1% of those aged 65–74.
Source: Eurostat, 2025. Private-purpose participation in the last three months, as a share of all individuals in each age band. The EU aggregate is published by Eurostat. Displayed percentages are rounded to one decimal.
View the exact calculation inputs
| Age band | Source value (%) | Source selection |
|---|---|---|
| 16–24 | 90.45 | EU27_2020 / Y16_24 / PC_IND |
| 65–74 | 34.1 | EU27_2020 / Y65_74 / PC_IND |
Exact observation IDs:
EU27_2020:Y16_24:2025
EU27_2020:Y65_74:2025
Read this as a difference, not a trajectory
The result is a percentage-point difference. It compares two age groups in one year; it is not percentage growth and does not follow the same people over time.
The comparison does not establish why the groups differ. It also does not distinguish platforms or measure time spent.
Reproduce the finding
Calculation steps and downloadable inputs
- Open dataset release 2026-09-30-eurostat-v1 and download its attributed CSV.
- Select geography EU27_2020, year 2025, and age codes Y16_24 and Y65_74. Both observations use PC_IND and I_IUSNET.
- Subtract the older group’s percentage from the younger group’s percentage: 90.45 − 34.1 = 56.35 percentage points.
- Keep source precision for the calculation; round the displayed result to one decimal.
Original Eurostat table · Current dataset and release history
Methods, uncertainty and evidence review
No confidence intervals accompany these API observations, so this analysis does not test statistical significance. National survey fieldwork, collection modes and translations can vary within the European statistical programme.
Source data were retrieved and checked on 1 October 2026 (UTC). This analysis was published on 1 October 2026. Both dates are separate from the 2025 reference year.
This is an assisted descriptive analysis. The inputs and arithmetic were checked automatically against the source extract. Independent human editorial review has not been recorded.
Eurostat methods and quality metadata. Source: Eurostat, isoc_ci_ac_i (accessed 2026-10-01). Selection and calculations by SocialUsage. Eurostat is not responsible for these changes.
Common questions
Why use percentage points rather than percent growth?
We are subtracting two percentages that describe different populations in the same year. Percentage points express that difference directly. Growth would describe a change over time and would require a compatible historical series.
Does this show that people stop using social media as they age?
No. These are different age groups observed at one time, not the same individuals followed through their lives. The comparison alone cannot establish a cause or predict how younger respondents will behave later.
Does the younger group represent teenagers?
No. The 16–24 age band includes both teenagers and adults. It should not be relabelled as a teen survey or compared directly with a different age range.