Brazil sees rapid growth in internet use among elderly population

Data from the IBGE indicates that internet connectivity is expanding at an accelerated rate among Brazilians aged 60 and older. In 2025, internet usage in this demographic reached 74.5%, representing a 4.4 percentage point increase from 2024—the largest expansion recorded across all age groups.

While 80.3% of this population owned a personal mobile phone in 2025, barriers to usage remain. Approximately 66.5% of non-users cited a lack of digital literacy as the primary reason for not using the internet. For those connected, the primary purpose is social interaction, with 95.3% using the network for voice or video calls.

This digital shift coincides with a focus on physical health and safety. As the Ministry of Health estimates 9 million falls annually among the elderly, care services are increasingly integrating technology, such as 24-hour emergency buttons and telemedicine, alongside supervised physical exercise to improve domestic care routines.