Census and Statistics Dept. reveals latest data on computer literacy

The Department of Census and Statistics Department (DCS) has released the latest findings of the computer literacy survey carried out in the first half of this year. 

DCS said timely and accurate information on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is required for Government efforts and private sector investments for development of the country. It has conducted several surveys on computer literacy in Sri Lanka. These surveys were conducted in 2004, 2006/07, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2016 and the DCS has released the bulletin of the latest survey conducted during first six months of 2017.

DCS Director General Dr. Amara Satharasinghe said that Computer Literacy rate among those in the age group of aged 5-69 years of Sri Lanka has been estimated as 28.3%. The Urban sector reported the highest computer literacy rate of 41.1% among residential sectors while computer literacy rates of Rural and Estate sectors are 26.5% and 9.5% respectively.

According to the findings of the survey, computer literacy among male is 30.7% which is higher than that of female (26.1%). 

Comparing the all the age groups, those in the age between 15 – 19 years reported the highest computer literacy rate of 60.7%. 

Among educational levels, the highest computer literacy rate 71.2% is reported for the G.C.E. (A/L) or above level of education. The survey results further reveal that computer literacy is very high (71.1%) among those who are literate in English language.

Digital Literacy is newly introduced indicator for Sri Lanka and a person (aged 5-69) is considered as a digital literate person if he/she could use a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone on his/her own. At national level digital literacy has been estimated as 38.7% and for males and females 42.5% and 35.2% respectively. Digital literacy for the Urban sector is 54.5% while for Rural and Estate sectors are 36.4% and 16.4% respectively.

Dr. Satharasinghe said that across districts, the highest percentage (44.6%) of the population using internet was reported from the Colombo district, while the Badulla district shows the lowest percentage of 4.9%.

A bulletin giving details of findings of this survey has been published in the DCS website: www.statistics.gov.lk.