BERLIN, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- In the first quarter of 2017, 50 percent of people aged 65 and over in Germany were regular Internet users, as reported by the country's Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on the presentation of the "Statistical Yearbook 2018-Active in Old Age" in Berlin on Thursday.
The proportion of Internet users in Generation 65 plus has risen continuously all the way from 19 percent in 2007, according to the yearbook, adding that 91 percent of Internet users of retirement age sent and received e-mails as often as younger Internet surfers.
Only 21 percent of this age group were active in social networks. The search for goods and services and the use of travel-related services were more popular among older Internet users, with the proportion of users among this age-specific population standing at 86 percent and 64 percent respectively.
Georg Thiel, president of the Federal Statistical Office, stated at the press conference held on Thursday, "Generation 65 plus is playing an increasingly important role in our society. This is shown by the basic demographic data as well as the data on their participation in social life. It is important to see age as an opportunity and to continue to use and promote the skills of this generation. "
Between 1990 and 2017, the number of people aged 65 and over nationwide increased by around 5.8 million to 17.7 million. Currently, one in five persons in Germany is aged over 65. According to the updated version of the 13th Coordinated Population Forecast, the proportion of generation 65 plus will be 26 percent in 2030 and 31 percent in 2060.
Moreover, the proportion of people in employment aged 65-69 has more than doubled in the last ten years, from 7.1 percent in 2007 to 16.1 percent in 2017.
According to another press release of the Destatis, the remaining life expectancy of 65-year-old men is 17 years and 10 months, and 21 years for 65-year-old women in Germany.
