Canadians online in 2020

Release date: September 7, 2021
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Infographic: Canadians online in 2020
Description: Canadians online in 2020

HOW DID CANADIANS SPEND THEIR TIME ONLINE IN 2020?

  • 92% Internet: among Canadians 27% used the Internet 20 hours or more per week
  • 83% Video streaming: among Canadians 16% watched streamed video content 20 hours or more per week
  • 35% Video gaming: among Canadians 5% played online video games 20 hours or more per week

What did Canadians stream in 2020?

  • 73% watched content on video-sharing websites such as YouTube or VIMEO
  • 68% watched video streaming services, such as Netflix or Crave TV
  • 17% watched streamed or live-streamed sports

Did you know?

In 2020, more than 2 in 3 Canadians used the Internet to search for information on health (69%) or to access news (78%).


What has changed?
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 1 2018 and 2020 (appearing as column headers).
2018 2020
Made online voice calls or video calls 47% 64%
Used smart home devices in primary residence 27% 42%
Took formal training or learning through an organization or institution 14% 25%
Listened to podcasts 26% 34%
Used online government services 68% 74%

Activities done by Canadians for the first time during COVID-19

  • 28% Used video conferencing services to communicate with family or friends
  • 12% Used the Internet to work at home
  • 11% Did online training or learning
  • 9% Watched streamed video content
  • 4% Subscribed to a meal delivery service

Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Internet Use Survey 2018 and 2020.

Note: The data in this infographic are for individuals aged 15 and older living in Canada's provinces. Only respondents who used the Internet in the three months preceding the survey answered these questions.

More information

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Canada owes the success of its statistical system to a long-standing partnership between Statistics Canada, the citizens of Canada, its businesses, governments and other institutions. Accurate and timely statistical information could not be produced without their continued co-operation and goodwill.

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Copyright

Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2021

All rights reserved. Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue no. 11-627-M

Frequency: Occasional

Ottawa

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