Almost half of Australia's population - 11.8 million of an estimated 24 million - are now accessing digital newspaper media, according to emma statistics.

New figures show readership on digital devices continues to increase, with reading on mobile phones driving growth. Over a four-week period in September, 11.8 million Australians read newspaper media on PCs, laptops, tablets or mobiles, a 4.4 per cent increase year on year, according to the latest Enhanced Media Metrics Australia data.

Over the past year 500,000 new readers used their smartphones to access newspaper media. Currently 3.6 million people access newspaper media on mobiles, an increase of 16 per cent year on year.

Despite the growth in digital readership, print still delivers more readers, with 13.8 million readers, 77 per cent of the population, reading print newspapers.

Although print readership is down 6.6 per cent year on year, the increase in digital readership is offsetting these declines. Total readership of newspaper media remained steady at 16.4 million, or 93 per cent of the population.

The latest emma data shows that regional and community titles continued to grow in total readership, up 7.4 per cent and 6.7 per cent respectively, demonstrating their vital role in society.

The Sydney Morning Herald again remains Australia's highest reaching title across platforms with a total audience of 5.148 million readers. The (Sydney) Daily Telegraph follows with 4.081 million and then the Herald Sun (Melbourne) on 3.885 million.

Source: emmaTM, 12 months to September 2015. Readership based on last four weeks. Trends compared with 12 months to September 2014. Survey conducted by Ipsos MediaCT, people 14+, Nielsen Online Ratings, September 2015 and September 2014, people 14+ only.