The Rise of Digitalization in Recent Years
The integration of technology into daily life has experienced exponential growth, transforming the ways in which daily activities are managed. In the last ten years, Vallès Oriental has witnessed a significant shift in the use of information and communication technologies (ICT), with a special focus on online shopping.
Online Shopping: A Rising Trend
According to data from the Statistics Institute of Catalonia (Idescat), the proportion of the population that makes purchases via the internet has increased significantly, going from 39.8% in 2013 to 78% in 2023. Although this figure is below the Catalan average of 79.8%, its increase is indisputable.
Factors Contributing to the Increase
The increase in computer use, which has grown from 71.1% to 82%, along with wider access to the internet, from 70.4% to 97.4%, and the proliferation of broadband connections, which has gone from 69.2% to 97.4%, are key factors explaining this change.
Territorial Comparison: The Vallès Oriental in Context
Compared to other regions of Catalonia, Vallès Oriental stands out for its excellent connectivity, ranking fourth in the internet connection and broadband categories. With access of 97.4%, it exceeds the Catalan average of 97.1%, only behind Baix Llobregat, Barcelonès and Vallès Occidental.
Areas for Improvement
Despite the positive results, Vallès Oriental presents small negative differences in some categories such as ownership of computers and mobile phones, where it remains below the average, with a difference of only 0.1 and 0.2 points respectively.
The Daily Use of Technology
A large part of the population of Vallès Oriental has adopted the computer and the internet as regular tools. Surveys reveal that 83.5% of the people surveyed have used a computer in the last three months, and a surprising 96.9% have accessed the internet. Although these figures are slightly lower than the Catalan average, the margin of difference is minimal.
Evolution of Digital Habits
The decade has brought significant changes in digital habits, with a notable increase in internet use, which has grown from 73.3% to 96.9%. In the same period, email use has increased from 64.9% to 85.8%, showing a clear adaptation to new technologies.
The Case of Moianès
The Moianès region presents similar trends, with high connectivity and an increase in online shopping, which has gone from 55.3% in 2015 to 79.6% in 2023. However, Vallès Oriental still leads in several aspects, maintaining a competitive position in digitalization.
Looking Towards the Future
With digitalization continuing its unstoppable march, Vallès Oriental is in a favorable position to take advantage of the opportunities offered by technology. Its capacity to adapt and evolve in the use of ICT will be key to facing future challenges and continuing to advance towards an increasingly digital society.
