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 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 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.

Japan: Internet users, percent of population: The latest value from 2023 is 87 percent, an increase from 84.9 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 72.46 percent, based on data from 177 countries. Historically, the average for Japan from 1990 to 2023 is 54.62 percent. The minimum value, 0.02 percent, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 93.2 percent was recorded in 2016.

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.

Switzerland: Internet users, percent of population: The latest value from 2023 is 97.3 percent, an increase from 96.5 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 72.46 percent, based on data from 177 countries. Historically, the average for Switzerland from 1990 to 2023 is 59.69 percent. The minimum value, 0.6 percent, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 97.3 percent was recorded in 2023.

As of February 2025, around 322 million people in the United States accessed the internet, making it one of the largest online markets worldwide. The country currently ranks third after China and India by the online audience size. Overview of internet usage in the United States The digital population in the United States has constantly increased in recent years. Among the most common reasons is the growing accessibility of broadband internet. A big part of the country's digital audience accesses the web via mobile phones. In 2024, the country saw an estimated 97.1 percent mobile internet user penetration. According to a 2024 survey, over 51 percent of U.S. women and 43 percent of men said it is important to them to have mobile internet access anywhere, at any time. Another 41 percent of respondents could not imagine their everyday life without the internet. Google and YouTube are the most visited websites in the country, while music, food, and drinks were the most discussed online topics. Internet usage demographics in the United States While some users can no longer imagine their life without the internet, others do not use it at all. According to 2021 data, 25 percent of U.S. adults 65 and older reported not using the internet. Despite this, online usage was strong across other age groups, especially young adults aged 18 to 49. This age group also reported the highest percentage of smartphone usage in the country as of 2023. Due to a persistent lack of connectivity in rural areas, more online users were based in urban areas of the U.S. than in the countryside.

Turkey: Internet users, percent of population: The latest value from 2024 is 87.3 percent, an increase from 86 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 92.01 percent, based on data from 9 countries. Historically, the average for Turkey from 1990 to 2024 is 34.76 percent. The minimum value, 0 percent, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 87.3 percent was recorded in 2024.

Norway: Internet users, percent of population: The latest value from 2023 is 99 percent, unchanged from 99 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 72.46 percent, based on data from 177 countries. Historically, the average for Norway from 1990 to 2023 is 66.1 percent. The minimum value, 0.71 percent, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 99 percent was recorded in 2021.

Greece: Internet users, percent of population: The latest value from 2023 is 85 percent, an increase from 83.2 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 72.46 percent, based on data from 177 countries. Historically, the average for Greece from 1990 to 2023 is 35.72 percent. The minimum value, 0 percent, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 85 percent was recorded in 2023.

The population share with mobile internet access in the United States was forecast to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total *** percentage points. After the ninth consecutive increasing year, the mobile internet penetration is estimated to reach ***** percent and therefore a new peak in 2029. Notably, the population share with mobile internet access of was continuously increasing over the past years.The penetration rate refers to the share of the total population having access to the internet via a mobile broadband connection. 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).

Active Internet Users: % of Population: VR: Republic of Bashkortostan data was reported at 94.100 % in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 92.400 % for 2023. Active Internet Users: % of Population: VR: Republic of Bashkortostan data is updated yearly, averaging 83.100 % from Dec 2014 (Median) to 2024, with 11 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 94.100 % in 2024 and a record low of 60.400 % in 2014. Active Internet Users: % of Population: VR: Republic of Bashkortostan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Transport and Telecommunications Sector – Table RU.TH001: Share of Active Internet Users: by Region.

Denmark: Internet users, percent of population: The latest value from 2024 is 99.8 percent, an increase from 98.8 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 92.01 percent, based on data from 9 countries. Historically, the average for Denmark from 1990 to 2024 is 64.16 percent. The minimum value, 0.1 percent, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 99.8 percent was recorded in 2024.

Sudan: Internet users, percent of population: The latest value from 2020 is 26.4 percent, an increase from 25.9 percent in 2019. In comparison, the world average is 64.36 percent, based on data from 180 countries. Historically, the average for Sudan from 1990 to 2020 is 6.39 percent. The minimum value, 0 percent, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 26.4 percent was recorded in 2020.

Brazil: Internet users, percent of population: The latest value from 2023 is 84.2 percent, an increase from 80.5 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 72.46 percent, based on data from 177 countries. Historically, the average for Brazil from 1990 to 2023 is 32.51 percent. The minimum value, 0 percent, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 84.2 percent was recorded in 2023.

Active Internet Users: % of Population: Central Federal District (CF) data was reported at 94.700 % in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 92.000 % for 2023. Active Internet Users: % of Population: Central Federal District (CF) data is updated yearly, averaging 82.100 % from Dec 2014 (Median) to 2024, with 11 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 94.700 % in 2024 and a record low of 66.300 % in 2014. Active Internet Users: % of Population: Central Federal District (CF) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Transport and Telecommunications Sector – Table RU.TH001: Share of Active Internet Users: by Region.

As of 2025, approximately 93.1 percent of the United States' population accessed the internet, up from approximately 71 percent in 2013. The United States is one of the biggest online markets worldwide. Additionally, in 2025, over 322 million individuals in the country went online. Furthermore, social media apps were among the most popular category of mobile apps used in the market. Social media usage in the U.S. Social media usage in the United States has seen significant growth in recent years, amassing 310 million as of 2025. By the third quarter of 2024, internet users in the U.S. were spending around two hours on social media out of seven hours of internet usage. The most common activities among U.S. users include sending private messages and liking posts or following people, which highlights widespread engagement with social media platforms among internet users in the United States. TikTok surge in the U.S. TikTok continues to be one of the most popular social media platforms in the United States. As of February 2025, over 135 million individuals or 45 percent of internet users in the country used the social network. This surge in popularity is the result of user’s high engagement with short-form videos and quick entertainment in which TikTok managed to capture users’ attention. Users in the United States spent an average of 45 hours and 37 minutes monthly in 2023.

Palestine: Internet users, percent of population: The latest value from 2023 is 86.64 percent, a decline from 88.65 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 87.67 percent, based on data from 59 countries. Historically, the average for Palestine from 1990 to 2023 is 33.23 percent. The minimum value, 0 percent, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 88.65 percent was recorded in 2022.

Spain: Internet users, percent of population: The latest value from 2023 is 95.4 percent, an increase from 94.5 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 72.46 percent, based on data from 177 countries. Historically, the average for Spain from 1990 to 2023 is 46.36 percent. The minimum value, 0.01 percent, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 95.4 percent was recorded in 2023.

The share of population using the internet in France amounted to 86.8 percent in 2023. Between 1990 and 2023, the share rose by 86.75 percentage points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.