As of February 2025, China ranked first among the countries with the most internet users worldwide. The world's most populated country had 1.11 billion internet users, more than triple the third-ranked United States, with just around 322 million internet users. Overall, all BRIC markets had over two billion internet users, accounting for four of the ten countries with more than 100 million internet users. Worldwide internet usage As of October 2024, there were more than five billion internet users worldwide. There are, however, stark differences in user distribution according to region. Eastern Asia is home to 1.34 billion internet users, while African and Middle Eastern regions had lower user figures. Moreover, the urban areas showed a higher percentage of internet access than rural areas. Internet use in China China ranks first in the list of countries with the most internet users. Due to its ongoing and fast-paced economic development and a cultural inclination towards technology, more than a billion of the estimated 1.4 billion population in China are online. As of the third quarter of 2023, around 87 percent of Chinese internet users stated using WeChat, the most popular social network in the country. On average, Chinese internet users spent five hours and 33 minutes online daily.

As of February 2025, 5.56 billion individuals worldwide were internet users, which amounted to 67.9 percent of the global population. Of this total, 5.24 billion, or 63.9 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 20254. 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 ten 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 15–24 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.

As of February 2025, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates ed the ranking of countries with the highest internet penetration rate, all recording ** percent. The worldwide internet penetration rate as of the same research period was **** percent. Most connected regions According to the most recent observations, Northern Europe ranked first among global regions by connectivity rate. The share of the population accessing the internet in this region was nearly ** percent. Western Europe ranked second, followed by Northern America. Overall, the internet reach was higher than ** percent across all European regions, as well as Northern and Southern Americas. Unconnected populations Despite having the biggest online audiences worldwide, India and China are also the markets with the highest number of individuals not connected to the web. Regarding the share of population without internet access in worldwide markets, North Korea ranks first, as the internet in the country remains blocked for most of the general public as of April 2025. Burundi had **** percent of its population unconnected, followed by Chad, with **** percent.

Context :

This dataset provides an overview of global internet users by country between 2021 and 2024, derived from the Wikipedia page "List of countries by number of Internet users." The data includes the total number of internet users in each country, the percentage of the population using the internet, and the population of each country as of 2021. The data was collected from reliable sources like household surveys and internet subscription statistics, providing valuable insights into global connectivity trends.

This dataset can be used to explore digital penetration rates, compare internet adoption by region, and analyze how internet usage has evolved across countries over time. The motivation behind this dataset is to contribute to research on digital inclusion and global technology access.

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.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Internet users for Developing Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (ITNETUSERP2SSA) from 1990 to 2022 about Sub-Saharan Africa and internet.

As of 2024, 99 percent of young people aged 15-24 living in high-income countries used the internet. Meanwhile, the percentage of internet users among the rest of the population of the countries in the same category was 93 percent. Upper-middle-income economies ranked second by the share of young people using the internet, 97 percent. In markets with low income, the percentage of 15-24 year-olds using the internet was the lowest, 43 percent.

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.

Iceland Total Internet Users grew 1.7% in 2014, from a year earlier. Need to compare country statistics and get a global overview? Find all data easily.

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.

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.

As of February 2025, Northern Europe ranked first by the internet penetration rate, with over 97.9 percent of its population using the internet. Western Europe followed, with 95.1 percent. Overall, the global average internet penetration rate was roughly 67.9 percent. Global internet use The ongoing development of telecommunication networks and infrastructure has directly impacted internet penetration on a global scale. Thanks to advancing mobile technology and the continuous modernization of previously less-developed regions, the number of internet users worldwide has been on the rise in recent years, reaching 5.45 billion as of July 2024. In the world-wide-web, Google's Chrome still holds the largest market share for internet browsers, roughly 65.2 percent of the total market as of August 2024, followed by Apple's Safari at nearly 19 percent. Majority of global internet users are in Asia Asia has the most extensive internet user base – more than an estimated 2.9 billion internet users in this region alone – with East Asia accounting for most of this share. Despite this region's large volume of internet users, Asia is far from being a leader regarding online penetration. Eastern Asia, for instance, had an online penetration rate of 75.3 percent as of April 2023.

Belgium BE: Internet Users: Individuals: % of Population data was reported at 94.600 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 94.000 % for 2022. Belgium BE: Internet Users: Individuals: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 64.400 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2023, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 94.600 % in 2023 and a record low of 0.001 % in 1990. Belgium BE: 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 Belgium – Table BE.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.

CN: Internet Service: No of Internet User: Zhejiang data was reported at 36.320 Person mn in Dec 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 35.960 Person mn for Dec 2015. CN: Internet Service: No of Internet User: Zhejiang data is updated semiannually, averaging 26.190 Person mn from Dec 2003 (Median) to Dec 2016, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 36.320 Person mn in Dec 2016 and a record low of 4.512 Person mn in Dec 2003. CN: Internet Service: No of Internet User: Zhejiang data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by China Internet Network Information Center. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Information and Communication Sector – Table CN.ICE: Internet: Number of Internet User and Penetration Rate.

As of February 2025, **** percent of the population in Burundi did not have internet access. Chad followed, with around **** percent reportedly being offline. North Korea ranked first with an internet penetration of nearly **** percent, as the internet remains blocked for its citizens. Global internet freedom and access The degree of internet freedom varies drastically across countries, with some providing open access and others imposing significant restrictions. In 2024, Iceland was leading worldwide in terms of internet freedom, while Myanmar and China ranked the lowest in the world, with strict government surveillance and censorship. The struggle with limited internet access is particularly evident in Africa, which had the lowest internet penetration rates as of 2024. Global privacy concerns The limitations and restrictions to internet access around the world prove that internet users' privacy is extremely vulnerable. And those who have access to the web are somewhat aware of that. By the third quarter of 2024, around **** percent of internet users expressed concerns about companies misusing their data. This growing awareness of privacy risks is reflected in users’ behaviour. By June 2024, ***** in ***internet users worldwide had already taken measures to protect their online privacy. Additionally, many internet users reported taking further steps, such as enabling multi-factor authentication, for stronger privacy protections.

Internet Service: Internet Penetration Rate: Anhui data was reported at 44.300 % in Dec 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 39.400 % for Dec 2015. Internet Service: Internet Penetration Rate: Anhui data is updated semiannually, averaging 20.050 % from Dec 2003 (Median) to Dec 2016, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 44.300 % in Dec 2016 and a record low of 2.900 % in Dec 2003. Internet Service: Internet Penetration Rate: Anhui data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by China Internet Network Information Center. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Information and Communication Sector – Table CN.ICE: Internet: Number of Internet User and Penetration Rate.

As of February 2025, Morocco had an internet penetration of over 92 percent, making it the country with the highest internet penetration in Africa. Libya ranked second, with 88.5 percent, followed by Seychelles with over 87 percent. On the other hand, The Central African Republic, Chad, and Burundi had the lowest prevalence of internet among their population. Varying but growing levels of internet adoption Although internet usage varies significantly across African countries, the overall number of internet users on the continent jumped to around 646 million from close to 181 million in 2014. Of those, almost a third lived in Nigeria and Egypt only, two of the three most populous countries on the continent. Furthermore, internet users are expected to surge, reaching over 1.1 billion users by 2029. Mobile devices dominate web traffic Most internet adoptions on the continent occurred recently. This is among the reasons mobile phones increasingly play a significant role in connecting African populations. As of early January 2024, around 74 percent of the web traffic in Africa was via mobile phones, over 14 percentage points higher than the world average. Furthermore, almost all African countries have a higher web usage on mobile devices compared to other devices, with rates as high as 92 percent in Sudan. This is partly due to mobile connections being cheaper and not requiring the infrastructure needed for traditional desktop PCs with fixed-line internet connections.

When asked about "Attitudes towards the internet", most Chinese respondents pick "It is important to me to have mobile internet access in any place" as an answer. 48 percent did so in our online survey in 2025. Looking to gain valuable insights about users of internet providers worldwide? Check out our reports on consumers who use internet providers. These reports give readers a thorough picture of these customers, including their identities, preferences, opinions, and methods of communication.

When asked about "Attitudes towards the internet", most Mexican respondents pick "It is important to me to have mobile internet access in any place" as an answer. 56 percent did so in our online survey in 2025. Looking to gain valuable insights about users of internet providers worldwide? Check out our reports on consumers who use internet providers. These reports give readers a thorough picture of these customers, including their identities, preferences, opinions, and methods of communication.