The line graph illustrates the proportion of households in a European country that owned various types of technological devices between 2000 and 2020.
Overall, ownership of all five technologies increased over the two decades, with smartphones and internet access experiencing the most dramatic growth. In contrast, desktop computer usage peaked mid-period before declining, while tablets remained the least used device.
In 2000, internet access had the highest household penetration at around 40%, followed by desktop computers at 20%. Smartphones and laptops were less common, with usage at or below 10%, and tablets had not yet been introduced. Over the next ten years, desktop computers rose steadily to 60% by 2010, but then declined to 40% by 2020. Laptops, on the other hand, grew consistently throughout the period, increasing from 10% in 2000 to 50% by 2020.
Smartphones saw the most significant surge. From virtually 0% in 2000, they remained uncommon until 2005, then rose sharply to 25% in 2010 and peaked at 60% by 2020, matching desktop computers’ earlier peak. Tablets were introduced in 2005 and grew gradually from 5% to 30% by 2020. Meanwhile, internet access rose steadily over the entire period, reaching 90% by the end of the timeframe, making it the most widely adopted technology.