"E-government in the EU25 - Around half of individuals and enterprises who used the internet sought administrative information in 2004"

The Press Room of the European Commission has just stated that "In the EU25, 45% of individuals aged from 16 to 74 who used the internet obtained information from public authorities' websites during the first quarter of 2004. At the beginning of 2004, 51% of enterprises with internet access obtained information from public authorities’ websites.
This information comes from a report released by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities. This report presents the results of surveys on the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for interaction with governmental bodies (e-Government) in the EU25 Member States, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Norway and Iceland. The report also includes an analysis of the availability of public services on-line.
e-Government is one of the main goals of the 'eEurope 2005 Action Plan - an information society for all', an initiative taken by the Heads of State in pursuing the Lisbon Strategy, which aims at making the European Union the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based society. Increasingly, public bodies are creating websites for enterprises and citizens that enable an easier, cheaper and more efficient handling of procedures and supply of services."

This press release is available in full text.