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In the EU, 70.9% of people aged 16–74 used at least one internet-connected device in 2024, with connected TVs the most commonly reported category. A European Commission report had described mobile apps as the most-used interface for consumer IoT services in 2021, but that finding is dated and does not show how app use compares with voice or other controls today. The figures offer a view of the consumer landscape—not a blueprint for building an IoT app.
How widespread is consumer IoT use in the EU?
Eurostat reported that 70.9% of people aged 16–74 in the EU used internet-connected devices in 2024. The measure refers to use in the three months before the survey. It covers private-life use, including connected devices in the home, wearables, e-health and cars with built-in wireless connectivity. Eurostat’s August 2025 release provides the 2024 figures.
Adoption varied substantially by EU country. The Netherlands had the highest reported share, at 94.8%, followed by Ireland at 90.6% and Denmark at 87.0%. Poland had the lowest share, at 46.1%, followed by Bulgaria at 50.8% and Romania at 56.6%. These are national results within the EU survey, not estimates for Europe as a whole.
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The same Eurostat release breaks down 2024 use by device category. Connected entertainment and wearables feature prominently, while several home automation categories were reported by smaller shares of people aged 16–74.
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- Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2: Connect to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks or use Bluetooth Classic and BLE for wireless sensors, smart devices, remote controls, home automation and other connected projects
- Flexible Power-Saving Modes: ESP32 power-management features support dynamic clock scaling and low-power operating modes, helping developers reduce energy use in compatible sensing, monitoring and connected-device applications, suitable for battery-powered Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
- USB-C Programming with CP2102: Connect through USB-C for power, sketch uploads and serial monitoring, while GPIO, UART, SPI and I2C interfaces support sensors, displays, motor drivers and other modules (USB-C cable not included)
- Over-the-Air Update Support: Configure OTA functionality through a compatible ESP-32 software framework to update deployed firmware over Wi-Fi without reconnecting the board by USB for every revision
| Device category | Share of people aged 16–74 in the EU reporting use in 2024 |
|---|---|
| Internet-connected TV | 57.9% |
| Smart wearable | 29.9% |
| Game console | 19.5% |
| Connected home audio system | 19.3% |
| Smart speaker or other virtual assistant | 16.0% |
| Home energy management system | 14.2% |
| Smart appliance | 12.8% |
| Home security device | 11.8% |
| Connected car | 10.5% |
| Health-related IoT device | 7.9% |
| Internet-connected toy | 2.3% |
The category percentages are from Eurostat’s 2025 release and refer to reported use in 2024. They show why consumer IoT is broader than smart-home control: it also includes entertainment, fitness, transport and health-related devices. See Eurostat’s category definitions and results.
Why do some Eurostat IoT adoption figures differ?
A separate Eurostat overview says 76% of EU internet users used connected devices or systems in 2024. This is not directly interchangeable with the 70.9% figure: the 76% uses internet users as its denominator, while the 70.9% figure is for people aged 16–74. The overview also groups some device categories differently.
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- Certified & Future-Ready: Espressif-certified ESP32-WROOM-32E ensures full hardware compatibility and lifetime firmware support. Upgraded 8MB Flash handles IoT data and OTA updates.
- Dual-Core Speed: 240MHz dual-core processor runs Wi-Fi/BLE and sensors 2x faster. 38 GPIO pins (10 RTC) support SPI/I2C/UART for LCDs, motors, and industrial sensors.
- Plug & Play Dev: USB-C driver pre-installed: upload code instantly on Windows/Mac/Linux. Works with Arduino IDE, MicroPython, and Espressif IDF.
- All-Environment Ready: Run Wi-Fi smart switches (Home Assistant) and BLE tracking on one board. Industrial-grade stability (-40°C~85°C) for outdoor/automated systems.
- Advantages: The ESP32 development board offers high performance, low power consumption, and rich wireless connectivity, making it suitable for developers of all levels, especially beginners.
| Measure | Population counted | Reported 2024 result |
|---|---|---|
| Used connected devices or systems | EU internet users | 76% |
| Used smart home entertainment | EU internet users | 67% |
| Used a smartwatch or fitness band | EU internet users | 32% |
| Used smart energy devices | EU internet users | 15% |
| Used smart appliances | EU internet users | 14% |
| Used connected home alarms or security | EU internet users | 13% |
These figures come from Eurostat’s Digitalisation in Europe – 2025 edition. Because the denominator and category groupings differ, the two sets are best read as separate snapshots, not combined into one adoption rate or trend line.
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The European Commission Directorate-General for Competition’s 2021 preliminary report said that, despite growing use of voice assistants, the smart mobile application remained the most-used interface for accessing smart-home and wearable devices and consumer IoT services. It also identified Android and Apple’s iOS as the leading operating systems for smart mobile devices at that time. The report’s statement is a 2021 sector observation.
Rank #3
That finding establishes that mobile apps were an important control surface in the report’s period; it does not establish today’s relative share of apps, voice, web or other interfaces. Nor does it prescribe an app architecture, connectivity protocol, API or security model. The adoption statistics describe device use, not app downloads, revenue, development costs or project outcomes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What counts as an IoT device in these statistics?
Eurostat’s household ICT survey focuses on use in private life. A smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop that simply accesses the internet is not counted as an IoT device. A phone used to control a connected device has a separate role as an interface; owning or using the phone alone does not constitute IoT adoption under this measure. Eurostat’s 2025 compilers’ manual explains the measurement boundary.
Rank #4
- 2.4GHz Dual Mode WiFi + Bluetooth Development Board
- Support LWIP protocol, Freertos
- SupportThree Modes: AP, STA, and AP+STA
- Ultra-Low power consumption, Compatible with Arduino IDE
- ESP32 is a safe, reliable, and scalable to a variety of applications
For readers tracking changes over time, Eurostat’s IoT usage dataset lists observations for 2020–2024 and was last updated on 17 April 2026. That is the dataset’s update date, not the date of every observation. Open the IoT usage dataset.
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Quick Recap
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- D1 Mini NodeMCU Type-C ESP32 WLAN WiFi Bluetooth IoT Development Board 5V Compatible for Arduino
- Designed with ultra-low power technology, it offers the full range of performance and features of the ESP32 chip. The pin arrangement provides compatibility with the modules developed for the D1 Mini ESP8266 while also offering fast WLAN, enhanced GPIO, Bluetooth functionality, and with its higher performance, a wider range of applications.
- 100% compatible with Arudino IDE, Lua and Micropython, it shows robustness, versatility, and reliability in a wide variety of applications and power scenarios.
- All I/O pins have interrupt, PWM, I2C and one-wire capability, except the pin DO.
- Designed with ultra-low power technology, it offers the full range of performance and features of the ESP32 chip. The pin arrangement provides compatibility with the modules developed for the D1 Mini ESP8266 while also offering fast WLAN, enhanced GPIO, Bluetooth functionality, and with its higher performance, a wider range of applications.
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