Band 7+: The table below shows the percentages of internet users in Taiwan by age group from 1998 to 2000. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The chart illustrates the proportions of cyberspace usage in Taiwan by age cohort over the three periods 1998, 1999, 2000.

Looking from an overall perspective, the 16-30 age cohort consistently accounted for the largest proportions of Internet users throughout the period. Meanwhile, the youngest (under 15) and the oldest (over 50) groups made up the lowest percentage of Internet users, although both groups showed slight increases.

In 1998, the age group from 16-30 years made up the highest proportions of Internet users at 52%, followed by the 31-50 year age cohort at 41%. Over the next two years, the figure for Internet usage in the 16-30 year age group fell to just 42% in 2000 and the 31-50 year age group dropped to 38% by 2000.

By contrast, the under-15 year age cohort started at 2% in 1998 and throughout the period increased steadily to 9% in 2000. Likewise, the over- 50 age group rose from 4% to 10% in 2000, just 1% higher than the youngest. Although the proportion of Internet users in 16-50 declined slightly, the youngest and the oldest still remained the smallest proportions of Internet users.