Update: January 2000

Central and Eastern European Countries - Part 2: other data

1. Personal computers

1.1 Central and Eastern Europe overview

The total number of personal computers could be estimated at 11,9 million by the end of 1999 in Central and Eastern European countries. Evaluated at 6,6 million by the end of 1996, it shows an average growth of 22 % per year between 1996 and 1999.

As all the data was not available for certain countries we made approximations in order to present a correct evolution trend.

	Please click below on the small graphs to enlarge them.
Graph 1: Total Number of PCs in CEEC - Evolution 1996-1999

Between 1996 and 1999, the number of personal computers per 100 inhabitants in Central and Eastern Europe rose from 6,7 to 12. One can note these penetration rates are superior to those observed in the Mediterranean area, 1,2 (1996) and 2,9 (1999).

Graph 2 : Number of PCs per 100 inh. in CEEC - Evolution 1996 -1999

1.2 Breakdown by country

Graph 3 presents personal computer penetration by country over the period 1996 to 1999.

The number of personal computers per 100 inhabitants increased steadily in all the countries. We can observe that average annual growth over the period was very significant in Lithuania (+32%), Romania (+28%) and the Czech Republic (+26%). These countries have relatively low penetration levels. This growth is part of a catch up effort.

Graph 3 : Personal Computers per 100 inh. in CEEC - Breakdown by country 1996 - 1999

If we focus on the number of personal computers by the end of 1999 (graph 4), we can distinguish 3 groups of countries :

• Slovenia which has the highest penetration level, comparable with levels observed in the European Union,

• 2 Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia), Czech Republic and Poland, which have penetration rates ranged between 7 and 14 PCs per 100 inhabitants,

• Romania, Bulgaria and Lithuania, which have lower penetration rates, between 2,8 and 6 PCs per 100 inhabitants.

These differences reflect the variations in economic development and growth across the region (see GDP/capita levels).

Graph 4 : Number of PC per 100 inh. in CEEC - Breakdown by country - End 1999

Growth rates between 1998 and 1999 (graph 5) reflect tendencies observed over the period 1996-1999. In particular, important growth has been seen in Romania and the Czech Republic. It is interesting to note that Slovenia, the country that is best equipped, continues to see significant growth in this area. This reflects the fact that the market is not saturated. Personal computers are becoming common goods that are widely diffused.

Graph 5: Growth rate of number of PCs per 100 inh. 1998 -1999

2. Internet

2.1 Access providers

Establishing an account of the number of Internet Hosts by looking at the number of DNS domains and access providers gives a sound indication of the dynamism of Internet use in the area studied. Poland and Romania saw the greatest increases in the number of access providers over the period.

Graph 6: Number of access providers in CEEC - Breakdown by country - 1997 - 1999

If we focus on 1999, we see that access providers are numerous in Romania, Bulgaria and Poland. This can be explained by two reasons :

• recent development of the Internet and recent liberalisation of the market. Indeed, actors are numerous in the emergent phases of a market. Consolidation phases include mergers and acquisitions which lead to a reduction of the number of actors,
  
• main Internet access providers may have numerous subsidiaries and offices throughout the country. Subsidiaries may have been registered as access providers, boosting the real number of access providers.

Graph 7: Number of access providers in CEEC - Breakdown by country - End 1999

It is interesting to note the decrease in the number of access providers in several countries in 1999such as Latvia (-1) and Slovenia (-4).

Graph 8: Growth in the number of access providers 1998 / 1999

2.2 DNS domains

The number of Internet hosts as measured by DNS domains per 1000 inhabitants is at its highest in Poland, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Lithuania.

Graph 9: Hostcount by DNS domains per 1000 inh. in CEEC - Breakdown by country 1997-1999

2.3 Internet users

The map below presents the number of Internet users per 100 inhabitants in 1999.

Graph 10: Internet users per 100 inh. in 1999

3. Television

The average number of television sets per 100 inhabitants was equal to 29 in Central and Eastern European countries at the end of 1999.

Country penetration rates are mainly correlated with purshasing power. We can clearly distinguish 3 categories of countries :

• Hungary and Lithuania have the highest rates,
  
• They are followed by most of the other countries, Poland, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Estonia, Slovenia and Latvia,
  
• The third group comprises Albania and Romania.

Graph 11: Number of TV sets per 100 inh. - 1999

Cable TV is quite developed in Central and Eastern Europe. Indeed, several countries have had a liberalised cable sector for a number of years. This has enabled important national and foreign investment. For example, in Slovenia, there are about 80 cable TV operators that operate up-graded infrastructures. In Hungary, 202 cable television concessions have been issued throughout the country. Most of them have important development programs.

The number of satellite antennas is difficult to evaluate because the black market is very significant. As a consequence figures may be under estimated. The graph below presents satellite penetration ratios.

Graph 12: Number of satellite per home / Number of TV sets