In 2011, 50.9% of households owned a computer in the Palestinian Territory: 53.2% in the West Bank and 46.5% in Gaza Strip. In 2004, around one quarter (26.4%) of households had a computer.
Percentage of Households having Computer by Region, Selected Years
In 2011, 53.7% of individuals (10 years and over) in the Palestinian Territory have access to computer: 54.8% in the West Bank and 51.7% in Gaza Strip: and 58.5% of males and 48.7% of females. Whereas in 2004, 35.7% of individuals have access to computer.
49.4% of households without a computer in 2011 cited the reason as the high cost involved: 49.3% in the West Bank and 49.6% in Gaza Strip. A further 23.2% stated that they did not have a computer because no one in the family had skills to use it: 19.0% in the West Bank and 30.4% in Gaza Strip.
In 2011, 30.4% of households in the Palestinian Territory had an Internet connection: 30.6% in the West Bank and 30.0% in Gaza Strip. In 2004, 9.2% of households had an Internet connection.
Two-thirds of Internet users have e-mail account
In 2011, 39.4% of individuals (10 years and over) used the Internet in the Palestinian Territory: 44.3% of males and 34.3% of females. In addition,
69.7% of Internet users had an e-mail account.
More than half of youth have access to the Internet
Some 55.0% of young people (15-29 years) have access to the Internet in the Palestinian Territory in 2011 compared with one fifth in 2004: 59.4% of males and 50.5% of females.
Percentage of Youth Having Access to the Internet by Sex
The reason cited by young people having access to the Internet was for communication purposes (27.7%) and for study purposes (19.8%) in 2011.
The percentage of young people with an e-mail account was 42.9% in the Palestinian Territory in 2011 compared with only one fifth in 2004.
Most households own mobile phone
In 2011, 95.0% of households owned a mobile phone in the Palestinian Territory compared with 72.8% in 2004. In addition, 44.0% of households in the Palestinian Territory had a telephone line in 2011 compared with 40.8% in 2004: 45.3% in the West Bank and 41.6% in Gaza Strip.
Most households own satellite dish
In 2011, 93.9% of households in the Palestinian Territory had a satellite dish: 95.9% in the West Bank and 90.1% in Gaza Strip. In 2004, around three-quarters of households owned a satellite dish.
One third of establishments use computers
About 29.6% of establishments in the Palestinian Territory used computers in 2009 compared with 21.3% in 2007. In addition, 20.4% of all establishments used the Internet in 2009 compared with 12.7% in 2007.
About 4.2% of all establishments conducted e-business transactions in 2009 compared with 2.3% in 2007.
324 Researchers per million inhabitants
In 2010, there were 3,790 employees in research and development (R&D), representing 2,072 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers. There were 2,348 researchers, which represent 1,312 FTE researchers. 1,763 male researchers and 585 female researchers. There were 324 FTE researchers per million inhabitants.
R&D Output
The major output of R&D in 2010 was as follows: 71 local and international awards, 559 studies published in journals, and 803 studies published in local magazines. Research was distributed by field of research as follows: 56.0% studies and consultations, 25.4% basic research, 12.0% applied research, and 6.6% experimental research.
Expenditure on R&D
Total expenditure on R&D was US$35 million in 2010, representing US$26,700 per FTE researcher. Whereas the expenditure on R&D share was 0.6% of GDP.
