A New Pocket Data Book Has Been Released in the ‘Digital Economy’ Series

The HSE Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation and Rosstat, has released new pocket data book in the ‘Digital Economy’ series. The publication presents a wide range of indicators describing the state and dynamics of the digital economy development in Russia. For some indicators, international comparisons are available, and for the first time a section on the children and teenagers’ engagement in the digital environment is included.

THE ENGAGEMENT OF RUSSIANS IN THE DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT IS INCREASING

✦ In 2020 almost 90% of the adult population in Russia ever used the Internet, as in Estonia (91%) and the Czech Republic (92%).

✦ In Russia, as in the United States of America (USA), 80% of households have access to the Internet.

✦ The daily Internet audience in Russia reached almost 77% of the adult population, by increasing for more than 4 percentage points (p. p.). This is comparable to Italy (76%) and France (77%).

✦ More than 62% of Russians access the Internet on the move or at work using mobile phones or smartphones. This is significantly higher than in the USA, Italy, and Japan, but more than 20 p. p. lower than in Sweden and the United Kingdom (UK).

CHILDREN ARE RAPIDLY ENGAGING THE INTERNET

✦ According to Rosstat, more than 80% of children from three to 14 years old used the Internet at least once a day in 2020.

✦ Almost all teenagers aged 12–14 use the Internet (95% in 2020; +3.3 pp compared to 2018).

✦ In recent years, the engagement in the digital environment of children from three to six years old and from seven to 11 years old has grown even faster (by 10 p. p. compared to 2018).

✦ Young Russians used the Internet in 2020 mainly for homework, school projects preparation (83.7%); distance learning indicators have grown almost 20 times over the past two years (68.9%; for comparison, in 2018 — 3.6%).

✦ In the first year of the pandemic, entertainment (watching films, playing games, etc.) rates slightly decreased (76.5% vs. 78.8% in 2018), but participation in social media increased (64.4% vs. 54.3% in 2018).

MORE AND MORE RUSSIANS CHOOSE PROFESSIONS RELATED TO DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

✦ According to the results of HSE ISSEK surveys, over the past decade, the proportion of respondents who ‘would be happy’ if their child chose a career of software developer, IT specialist has increased by 10 p. p.: in 2019–2020 this choice was approved by 71% of respondents, in 2011 — by 61%.

✦ In Russia, 9.2 million people were employed in ICT task-intensive occupations in 2020 (13% of the total employment). During the year, the indicator grew up by more than 6%.

✦ Among them, almost one in five (19.3%) are ICT professionals, 80.7% are other ICT task-intensive occupations.

✦ In Russia, the share of ICT specialists in the total employment increased in 2020 up to 2.5% (+0.2 p. p.), other ICT task-intensive occupations — up to 10.5% (+0.8 p. p.). Despite the continued growth, the gap in this indicator from most European countries is significant.

DEMAND FOR SMART DEVICES IS GROWING AMONG RUSSIANS

✦ According to HSE ISSEK surveys, in 2020, almost two-thirds of respondents (64%) reported an interest towards using general purpose robot (for example daily chores, medical attendance, etc.).

✦ Almost the same number of respondents (62%) showed interest in drone delivery.

✦ 12% of respondents said using smart home devices, and 9% — getting an online doctor consultations.

✦ Interestingly, that in 2015 almost half of the respondents (45%) had an intention to use these services.

THE PANDEMIC HAS CHANGED THE STRUCTURE OF DIGITAL ECONOMY EXPENDITURE

✦ In 2020 the pandemic contributed to an increase in the share of household expenditure on use of digital technologies and related goods and services by 4 p. p. (from 40.1% in 2019 to 44.3% in 2020) and, accordingly, a decrease in the share of enterprises expenditure.

✦ Households has assumed the additional burden of paying for goods and services related to digital technologies. The largest share of household expenditure was on telecommunication services — 57.8%, purchase of digital content — 12.7%, purchase of mobile phones or smartphones — 12.3%, purchase of TV and audio equipment, office equipment and costs of ICT equipment handling and maintenance totally — 13.5%.

✦ The ratio of digital economy development expenditure to GDP increased from 3.7% in 2019 to 3.8% in 2020.