225 million Europeans were online last year, according to research from Jupiter Research. The number is estimated to increase to 275 million by 2012 – a jump of 21 per cent. If the estimate is correct, 71 per cent of Europe’s population will be online in 4 years time.
I picked up the research from the Swedish media blog Mindpark. They point out that the highest increase will be in the age group from 45 years and upwards.
This may be good news and a window of opportunity for newspapers and traditional media houses in Europe, who normally have the strongest following among the older segments in the population. Europe will see 30 million news online users aged 45 and above in the next few years.
The challenge is to make sure to capture these readers as they enter the web. Because of the long term relationship with these readers, many newspaper companies may find themselves well positioned in doing this – that is if they act smartly.
