As of October 2025, **** billion people worldwide were internet users, representing **** percent of the global population. Of these, **** billion, or **** percent, were social media users. Global internet usage The internet connects billions globally and is central to the modern information society. In 2025, Northern Europe had the highest penetration rate, with the Netherlands, Norway, and Saudi Arabia reporting ** percent usage. North Korea ranked last, with almost no public access. East Asia had the most online users – over **** billion – followed by South Asia with about *** billion. China, India, and the United States led all countries by user numbers. Worldwide internet user demographics In 2024, women accounted for ** percent of global internet users, five points fewer than men, with the largest gender gap in Africa. Usage was highest among people aged 15 to 24, reaching ** percent in Europe. Access stood at ** percent in high-income markets, compared with ** percent in low-income ones.

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.

A line chart that shows % of U.S. adults who say they use the internet, by annual household income

A line chart that shows % of U.S. adults who say they use the internet, by gender

Overview:

This dataset contains synthetic daily internet usage records segmented across different age groups. It captures how users allocate their online time among social media, work or study, and entertainment activities. Additionally, the dataset includes information about the primary device used and the type of internet connection.

The dataset is clean, structured, and designed for beginners and intermediate users to practice exploratory data analysis (EDA), data visualization, and machine learning tasks.

Dataset Information: - Total records: 2,800 - Data type: Synthetic & anonymized - Personal data: Not included

Columns:

• user_id – Unique identifier for each user
• date – Date of internet usage record
• age – Age of the user
• age_group – Age category
• social_media_hours – Time spent on social media
• work_or_study_hours – Time spent on work or study
• entertainment_hours – Time spent on entertainment
• total_screen_time – Total daily internet usage
• primary_device – Device used
• internet_type – Internet connection type

Disclaimer:

This dataset is synthetically generated for educational and analytical purposes only. It does not contain real personal or sensitive information.

Internet use in the UK annual estimates by age, sex, disability, ethnic group, economic activity and geographical location, including confidence intervals.

Introduction

Internet Usage Statistics: The Internet's transformative journey, from its origins as a research project to its current global ubiquity, has revolutionized communication, information access, commerce, and entertainment.

Enabling instant connectivity, online shopping, streaming, remote work, and social interaction, the Internet has reshaped societal dynamics. However, it also presents privacy issues, cybersecurity threats, and digital disparities.

As technology advances, including mobile Internet, IoT, and AI, the future of Internet usage holds exciting possibilities and complex considerations, making it a crucial focal point in today's interconnected world.

The number of internet users in the United States was forecast to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total 13.5 million users (+4.16 percent). After the ninth consecutive increasing year, the number of users is estimated to reach 337.67 million 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).

A line chart that shows % of U.S. adults who say they use the internet, by age

A line chart that shows % of U.S. adults who say they use the internet, by community type

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.

Discover key internet statistics, including global usage, user growth, connection speeds, device trends, and digital behavior. Stay informed!

A line chart that shows % of U.S. adults who say they use the internet, by race and ethnicity

As of October 2025, approximately 324 million people in the United States had access to the internet. This makes the country one of the largest online markets worldwide, behind only China and India. 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.

Dataset Overview

This dataset provides a comprehensive overview of internet usage across countries as of 2024. It includes data on the percentage of the population using the internet, sourced from multiple organizations such as the World Bank (WB), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the CIA. The dataset covers all United Nations member states, excluding North Korea, and provides insights into internet penetration rates, user counts, and trends over recent years. The data is derived from household surveys and internet subscription statistics, offering a reliable snapshot of global digital connectivity.

Data Science Applications

This dataset can be used in various data science applications, including: - Digital Divide Analysis: Evaluate disparities in internet access between developed and developing nations. - Trend Analysis: Study the growth of internet penetration over time across different regions. - Policy Recommendations: Assist policymakers in identifying underserved areas and strategizing for improved connectivity. - Market Research: Help businesses identify potential markets for digital products or services. - Correlation Studies: Analyze relationships between internet penetration and socioeconomic indicators like GDP, education levels, or urbanization.

Column Descriptors

The dataset contains the following columns: 1. Location: Country or region name. 2. Rate (WB): Percentage of the population using the internet (World Bank data). 3. Year (WB): Year corresponding to the World Bank data. 4. Rate (ITU): Percentage of the population using the internet (ITU data). 5. Year (ITU): Year corresponding to the ITU data. 6. Users (CIA): Estimated number of internet users in absolute terms (CIA data). 7. Year (CIA): Year corresponding to the CIA data. 8. Notes: Additional notes or observations about specific entries.

Ethically Mined Data

The data has been sourced from publicly available and reputable organizations such as the World Bank, ITU, and CIA. These sources ensure transparency and ethical collection methods through household surveys and official statistics. The dataset excludes North Korea due to limited reliable information on its internet usage.

Acknowledgements

This dataset is based on information compiled from: - World Bank - International Telecommunication Union - CIA World Factbook - Wikipedia's "List of countries by number of Internet users" page

Special thanks to these organizations for providing open access to this valuable information, enabling deeper insights into global digital connectivity trends.

Citations: [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_number_of_Internet_users [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_number_of_Internet_users

Approximately **** percent of the United States' population accessed the internet as of October 2025, which has been consistent since 2023. The United States is one of the biggest online markets worldwide. Social media usage in the U.S. Social media usage in the United States has seen considerable growth in recent years, with forecasted users reaching as many as *** million in 2029. By the third quarter of 2024, internet users in the U.S. were spending around *** 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 October 2025, the U.S. was the next biggest TikTok advertising audience, after Indonesia. This rise in popularity is the result of users's high engagement with short-form videos and quick entertainment, in which TikTok managed to capture users’ attention. In fact, each user in the United States spent over ** hours per month 2023.

Germany Internet Users: Every Day or Almost Every Day data was reported at 89.600 % in 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 88.900 % for 2018. Germany Internet Users: Every Day or Almost Every Day data is updated yearly, averaging 78.500 % from Mar 2006 (Median) to 2019, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 89.600 % in 2019 and a record low of 55.700 % in 2006. Germany Internet Users: Every Day or Almost Every Day data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Statistics Office Germany. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.TB001: Internet Users.

As of February 2025, the average daily social media usage of internet users worldwide amounted to 141 minutes per day, down from 143 minutes in the previous year. Currently, the country with the most time spent on social media per day is Brazil, with online users spending an average of 3 hours and 49 minutes on social media each day. In comparison, the daily time spent with social media in the U.S. was just 2 hours and 16 minutes. Global social media usage Currently, the global social network penetration rate is 62.3 percent. Northern Europe had an 81.7 percent social media penetration rate, topping the ranking of global social media usage by region. Eastern and Middle Africa closed the ranking with 10.1 and 9.6 percent usage reach, respectively. People access social media for a variety of reasons. Users like to find funny or entertaining content and enjoy sharing photos and videos with friends, but mainly use social media to stay in touch with current events and friends. Global impact of social media Social media has a wide-reaching and significant impact on not only online activities but also offline behavior and life in general. During a global online user survey in February 2019, a significant share of respondents stated that social media had increased their access to information, ease of communication, and freedom of expression. On the flip side, respondents also felt that social media had worsened their personal privacy, increased polarization in politics, and heightened everyday distractions.

Mobile media usage in the United States is set to increase to four hours and 29 minutes per day between in 2022. In 2020, the adult U.S. population spent an average of 49 daily minutes on social networking. Mobile social network usage is projected to increase to 55 minutes per day in 2023.

As of February 2024, over a third of online users worldwide were aged between 25 and 34 years. Website visitors at this age bracket constituted the biggest group of online users worldwide. Moreover, ** percent of global online users were aged 18 to 24 years. The global digital population aged 65 or older represented approximately *** percent of all internet users worldwide. Social media usage and Meta Social media is a major driver of internet use, with a global penetration rate of **** percent. On average, internet users spend *** minutes per day on social media, highlighting its significant impact on daily online activities. The usage of social media is mostly dominated by Meta platforms, which own four of the largest social media platforms. Facebook leads the ranking with over ***** billion active users, followed by Instagram and WhatsApp. Instagram's global popularity Meta’s social video platform, Instagram, had long been one of the most engaging social media platforms worldwide, and it was projected to reach **** billion monthly active users. Instagram was particularly favored by users aged 18 to 34, thanks to its ability to offer various interactive content, from images and carousels. This diverse range of content types was a key factor in its popularity among its young user base.