THE number of people in Scotland using portable electronic gadgets to log on to the internet while on the move has more than doubled in a year.
With the huge rise in popularity of devices such as smartphones and iPads, continued use of laptops and more wi-fi enabled public locations, the proportion of the population using the web doubled from 7% to 14% in 2010-11.
The rise is revealed in the latest Scottish Household Survey, which questioned all registered households north of the Border about their habits.
It also found that Scots are recycling more, as increasing numbers of local authorities provide specialised bins for reusable household waste.
Almost nine in 10 households (89%) are recycling – a 3% increase on 2010. However, the study raised concern about the success of efforts to get people living in apartment blocks to change their habits. The study found less than half (49%) of those living in a fifth-floor flat or above recycle.
People continue to remain less optimistic about their finances than in previous years, but feel more positive about their local communities, education and health services.
The survey showed the number of people who are happy with their money situation fell to 44% in 2011 from 48% in 2010.
Almost one-third of households (27%) have no savings or investments in place, with almost one in 10 (12%) having less than £1000 in savings.
The report also showed one in three women do not feel safe when walking alone in their neighbourhood at night, compared to one in 10 men.
However, around 66% of adults said they were satisfied with public services, including local health services, schools and public transport. More than half of Scots (55.9%) said their neighbourhood was a very good place to live – a 0.5% increase on the previous year.
The continuing downward trend of smoking has continued, with the study's responses pointing to a 7.4% reduction since 1999.
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) said the drop in financial satisfaction was no surprise in the current economic climate.
Margaret Lynch, chief executive of CAS, said: "There are a number of trends here which highlight the sort of issues we see in the CAB every day.
"We note that in general many people are feeling less positive about their household finances and fewer than half of Scots now feel they manage 'quite well or very well'."
Ms Lynch added: "This is no surprise to us, unfortunately, as we are seeing more and more families who are finding it difficult to cope."
For the first year ever the survey asked respondents about their sexual orientation, with 98% claiming to be heterosexual, 0.7% saying they were homosexual, and 0.2% bisexual. Just under one-half (49%) of adults are married and living with a spouse and around 64% own their own home; 23% live in social rented accommodation and 11% live in private rented accommodation.
The report also showed more than three-quarters of adults feel very or fairly safe when walking alone in their neighbourhood after dark, while almost 97% said they feel safe when they are alone in their home at night.
Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham said: "The findings from the 2011 Scottish Household Survey paint a positive picture of our communities, with nine out of 10 people saying their neighbourhood is a 'very' or 'fairly' good place to live.
"I also welcome statistics showing the percentage of residents who think their neighbourhood is a very good place to live has increased from 51.7% in 2007 to 55.9% in 2011.
"We already know fear of crime is down and people are continuing to feel safer in their communities. Today's figures add to the evidence we have already."
On education, the survey revealed that 92% of parents are satisfied with their children's schooling.
However, just over half of Scots children (54%) take part in sport.
The report also showed an increase in the number of adults engaging in cultural activities in 2011, the most popular being visiting the cinema or attending a live music event.
Survey highlights
0.7% say they are homosexual
2% of the adult population are of Asian origin
6% say their health is bad or very bad
11% say they have noticed vandalism in their area.
20% of adults have no qualifications
21% of households have two cars
22% of adults feel they can influence decision-making in their area
23% are smokers
33% of single parents have savings or investments
33% of households have at least one person with a long-term illness, health problem or disability
34% have never married or been in a civil partnership
40% of households have access to some form of play area within their neighbourhood
58% of homeowners say they are managing well financially
67% have a driving licence
70% of households have a car
73% of households have internet access
75% living in rural areas say their neighbourhood is very good
75% of adults say their health is either very good or good
92% of parents are satisfied with their children's education
97% of households with internet access have broadband
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