Messaging applications are the main reason for internet usage in Turkey, with 95.5% of Turkish internet users connecting via platforms such as WhatsApp, Messenger, Skype, Bib and Viber in the past three months. The data comes from the latest Household Information Technology Usage Survey conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute.
The surge in internet usage across the country is driven by infrastructure investments and improved internet speeds, allowing a wider range of users to access and embrace digital technology. The widespread adoption of smartphones, the rise of social media platforms and video-sharing sites, and the growing popularity of digital games are attracting more people, especially younger generations, and are leading to increased online engagement.
Besides messaging, individuals use the internet for a variety of personal activities, including making voice and video calls, sharing content on social media, sending emails, listening to music, and performing online banking.
Women take the lead in voice and video calling
According to the survey, messaging was ranked as the most popular use of the internet, followed by voice and video calling.
An astonishing 93.5% of people use applications such as WhatsApp, Facetime, Messenger, Skype or Snapchat for this purpose, and 94.7% of those who use these services are women.
Men spend more time watching YouTube
When it comes to consuming content on social media, 87.5% of respondents use the internet to share content on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter) etc. Interestingly, men are more active, sharing content at 89.4% compared to 85.5% for women.
Additionally, 80% of people stream videos on platforms such as YouTube, Daily Motion and Twitch, with men (80.9%) slightly more likely to watch videos online than women (78.9%).
Online subscriptions grow in popularity
Online subscriptions for music, movies, and TV shows have also become popular, with 23.9% of respondents having paid for a music service in the past three months and 23.1% having subscribed to a streaming service for movies or TV shows. Additionally, 22.5% of respondents have purchased bus, train or plane tickets online, 19.1% have subscribed to internet or mobile phone service, 18% have downloaded software, and 13.3% have purchased tickets to a concert, movie, sporting event, fair or other event through an online platform.
The surge in internet use for a variety of purposes highlights the expanding role of digital platforms in everyday life in Turkey, and as the digital landscape continues to evolve, citizens' internet habits are expected to become even more diverse.