The chart illustrates the percentage of households with internet access across three income groups—low, middle, and high—in a European country from 2007 to 2017.
Overall, internet access increased steadily across all income groups over the ten-year period. While high-income households consistently had the highest access rates, low-income families saw the most dramatic growth in connectivity.
In 2007, only 25% of low-income households had internet access, compared to 55% of middle-income and 80% of high-income households. By 2017, these figures had risen significantly, reaching 68%, 92%, and 99% respectively. Although the gap between income groups persisted, it gradually narrowed over time.
The most rapid increase occurred among low-income households, whose access more than doubled over the decade. Middle-income groups also showed consistent growth, rising by 37 percentage points. High-income households had the smallest overall increase, as their access was already high at the start.
In conclusion, while income remained a factor in internet accessibility, the digital divide decreased substantially between 2007 and 2017.