As of 2024, the estimated number of internet users worldwide was 5.5 billion, up from 5.3 billion in the previous year. This share represents 68 percent of the global population. Internet access around the world Easier access to computers, the modernization of countries worldwide, and increased utilization of smartphones have allowed people to use the internet more frequently and conveniently. However, internet penetration often pertains to the current state of development regarding communications networks. As of January 2023, there were approximately 1.05 billion total internet users in China and 692 million total internet users in the United States. Online activities Social networking is one of the most popular online activities worldwide, and Facebook is the most popular online network based on active usage. As of the fourth quarter of 2023, there were over 3.07 billion monthly active Facebook users, accounting for well more than half of the internet users worldwide. Connecting with family and friends, expressing opinions, entertainment, and online shopping are amongst the most popular reasons for internet usage.

The global number of internet users in was forecast to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total 1.3 billion users (+23.66 percent). After the fifteenth consecutive increasing year, the number of users is estimated to reach 7 billion users and therefore a new peak in 2029. Notably, the number of internet users of was continuously increasing over the past years.Depicted is the estimated number of individuals in the country or region at hand, that use the internet. As the datasource clarifies, connection quality and usage frequency are distinct aspects, not taken into account here.The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in up to 150 countries and regions worldwide. All indicators are sourced from international and national statistical offices, trade associations and the trade press and they are processed to generate comparable data sets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).Find more key insights for the number of internet users in countries like the Americas and Asia.

The average for 2023 based on 177 countries was 72.46 percent. The highest value was in Bahrain: 100 percent and the lowest value was in Burundi: 11.1 percent. The indicator is available from 1990 to 2024. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

As of October 2025, 6.04 billion individuals worldwide were internet users, which amounted to 73.2 percent of the global population. Of this total, 5.66 billion, or 68.7 percent of the world's population, were social media users. Global internet usage Connecting billions of people worldwide, the internet is a core pillar of the modern information society. Northern Europe ranked first among worldwide regions by the share of the population using the internet in 2025. In the Netherlands, Norway, and Saudi Arabia, 99 percent of the population used the internet as of February 2025. North Korea was at the opposite end of the spectrum, with virtually no internet usage penetration among the general population, ranking last worldwide. Eastern Asia was home to the largest number of online users worldwide—over 1.34 billion at the latest count. Southern Asia ranked second, with around 1.2 billion internet users. China, India, and the United States rank ahead of other countries worldwide by the number of internet users. Worldwide internet user demographics As of 2024, the share of female internet users worldwide was 65 percent, five percent less than that of men. Gender disparity in internet usage was bigger in African countries, with around a 10-percent difference. Worldwide regions, like the Commonwealth of Independent States and Europe, showed a smaller usage gap between these two genders. As of 2024, global internet usage was higher among individuals between 15 and 24 years old across all regions, with young people in Europe representing the most significant usage penetration, 98 percent. In comparison, the worldwide average for the age group of 15 to 24 years was 79 percent. The income level of the countries was also an essential factor for internet access, as 93 percent of the population of the countries with high income reportedly used the internet, as opposed to only 27 percent of the low-income markets.

Countries with the highest speeds demonstrate examples of efficient infrastructure and investment in digital technologies, providing their citizens with fast and stable internet. In contrast, countries with low speeds face numerous challenges, especially economic ones.

Graph and download economic data for Internet users for the World (ITNETUSERP2WLD) from 1990 to 2023 about internet, World, and persons.

The average for 2022 based on 193 countries was 7327 thousand subscribers. The highest value was in China: 589648 thousand subscribers and the lowest value was in Chad: 0 thousand subscribers. The indicator is available from 1998 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

As of 2023, India had **** billion internet users, more than any other country in the world. China ranked second, with **** billion Indians accessing the internet via any device. The United States followed with approximately *** million online users.

Individuals using the Internet (% of population) by country in each of the following years: 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, & 2016. Internet users are individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc. Data Sources: International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates via World Bank DataBank (http://databank.worldbank.org); Natural Earth 50M scale data.

The ranking of internet costs in various countries shows significant differences, driven by economic, political, and infrastructure factors.

Graph and download economic data for Internet users for Sweden (ITNETUSERP2SWE) from 1990 to 2024 about internet, Sweden, and persons.

As of 2023, 65 percent of the population in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) used the internet, compared to 35 percent of individuals living in the least Developed Countries (LDCs) while the internet penetration rate for those living in Landlocked Developing Counties (LLDCs) was at 39 percent. The global online access rate was 68 percent.

Graph and download economic data for Internet users for Canada (ITNETUSERP2CAN) from 1990 to 2023 about internet, Canada, and persons.

The average for 2022 based on 193 countries was 17.31 percent. The highest value was in Gibraltar: 60.97 percent and the lowest value was in Chad: 0 percent. The indicator is available from 1998 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Individuals using the Internet (% of population) in World was reported at 67.6 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. World - Individuals using the Internet (% of population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

Rural Internet System Market Outlook

The global rural internet system market size was valued at approximately USD 18 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach around USD 32 billion by 2032, growing at a robust CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period. The key growth factor driving this market is the increasing demand for internet connectivity in remote and rural areas, fueled by governmental initiatives and technological advancements aimed at bridging the digital divide.

One of the primary drivers of growth in the rural internet system market is the global push towards digital inclusivity. Governments around the world are implementing policies and funding projects designed to provide reliable internet access to rural and underserved areas. For instance, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, which is set to invest billions in rural broadband deployment. Similar initiatives are being undertaken in developing countries, where internet access is being recognized as a crucial factor for economic development and social inclusion.

Another significant growth factor is the advancement in technology, which has made it more feasible and cost-effective to deploy internet systems in rural areas. Technologies such as Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, 5G, and advanced fiber optic networks are breaking down previous barriers to connectivity. Satellite internet, in particular, has seen substantial advancements, with companies like SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper planning to launch thousands of satellites to provide global internet coverage, including hard-to-reach rural areas.

Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of reliable internet access, as remote work, online education, and telehealth services have become more prevalent. This shift has accelerated the demand for rural internet solutions as people in these areas strive to maintain connectivity with educational institutions, employers, and healthcare providers. This trend is expected to continue post-pandemic, providing a sustained boost to the rural internet system market.

Regionally, North America leads the market due to significant government funding and advanced infrastructure, followed closely by Europe and Asia Pacific. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are also expected to witness substantial growth, driven by increasing investments in internet infrastructure and rising internet penetration rates.

Technology Analysis

The rural internet system market is segmented by technology into satellite, DSL, fiber optic, fixed wireless, and others. Satellite technology is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period, driven by the advancements in LEO satellite technology. Companies like SpaceX and Amazon are investing heavily in satellite constellations that promise to deliver high-speed internet to the most remote corners of the world. These satellites can provide coverage over large areas, making them ideal for rural and underserved regions where traditional infrastructure is lacking.

DSL, or Digital Subscriber Line, remains a significant player in the rural internet system market. Although it has been around for a while, its prevalence in rural areas is due to the existing telephone infrastructure that can be utilized to provide internet services. While not as fast as fiber optic, DSL offers a viable solution for rural areas where other technologies might not be feasible due to cost or logistical reasons. Continuous improvements in DSL technology are also ensuring better speeds and reliability, keeping it relevant in the market.

Fiber optic technology is the gold standard for internet connectivity, offering the fastest speeds and highest reliability. However, its deployment in rural areas has been slower due to high costs and the complexity of infrastructure development. Nonetheless, governments and private companies are increasingly investing in fiber optic networks even in rural areas, recognizing the long-term benefits of such an investment. The growing demand for high-speed internet in rural regions for applications like online education, telehealth, and streaming services is expected to drive further investments in fiber optic technology.

Fixed wireless technology is another promising segment,

This dataset provides values for INTERNET SPEED reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

Market Size statistics on the Global Internet Service Providers industry in Global

As of July 2025, 68.7 percent of the global population accessed the internet. This figure has increased significantly in recent years, with only 53 percent of the global population using the internet in 2018. As of the measured month, internet users worldwide were around 5.65 billion. Where do people use the internet the most? Northern Europe has the most comprehensive internet coverage in the world. According to January 2025 data, nearly 98 percent of the population of this part of Europe went online. Europe’s western part ranked second among other world regions, with around 95 percent of internet penetration. Southern Asia, as well as Western, Middle, and Eastern Africa ranked lower than the worldwide average of nearly 68 percent. There is a different picture when it comes to the number of internet users in the world. As of January 2025, China had the highest number of online users, amounting to 1.1 billion, followed by India, with 806 million users. What do people do online? The internet nowadays is one of the main sources of information for the average user in 2025. Accordingly, nearly 63 percent of adults worldwide, when asked about the most common reasons to go online, said they did so to find information. Almost the same share of respondents said they stayed in touch with friends and family via the internet. Additionally, 55 percent of them said they received news updates online.

Germany DE: Internet Users: Individuals: % of Population data was reported at 93.500 % in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 92.500 % for 2023. Germany DE: Internet Users: Individuals: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 75.200 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2024, with 35 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 93.500 % in 2024 and a record low of 0.126 % in 1990. Germany DE: Internet Users: Individuals: % of Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.World Bank.WDI: Telecommunication. Internet users are individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc.;International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database;Weighted average;Please cite the International Telecommunication Union for third-party use of these data.