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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

In 2024, Eastern Asia accounted for approximately 1.34 billion of the world’s internet users, followed by Southern Asia with over 1.1 billion. The global digital population in April 2022 amounted to 5.5 billion internet users in total. Internet user growth worldwide With constantly declining smartphone prices and improvements in digital infrastructure, the increasing connectivity among global online audiences is moving along at a steady pace. Many previously underserviced regions have begun to profit from mobile online connections, leapfrogging the desktop PC development phase and starting out as mobile-first societies. The fastest growing online populations based on relative year-on-year user growth include many African nations, led by the Western Sahara where online audiences grew 364 percent annually. Despite the growing number of internet users in Africa, the continent still lags behind other regions in terms of online adoption. The highest on the continent was Southern Africa with a penetration rate of 68 percent, Middle Africa was ranked last worldwide. The region had an online penetration rate of just 25 percent, highlighting the ongoing struggles for connectivity but also the untapped digital potential within Africa.

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.

As of February 2025, China ranked first with around 1.11 billion internet users, followed by India with 624 million internet users. China and India were not only leading within the Asia Pacific region, but had the highest number of internet users worldwide. The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region had the largest number of internet users globally, however, internet penetration in Asia was still below the global average. Internet usage patterns in APAC The Philippines leads the region in average daily time spent using the internet in the Asia Pacific region, at around nine hours online each day. In emerging markets like Thailand, China, Indonesia, and the Philippines, over 60 percent of online time occurs on mobile devices. In contrast, users in more developed markets such as South Korea, Singapore, and Australia tend to have a more balanced distribution of internet time between mobile and desktop. In Japan, internet users reported spending around 57 percent of online time on computers, compared to around 43 percent on mobile devices. This contrast highlights the diversity of internet usage behaviors across the Asia-Pacific region, shaped by varying levels of digital infrastructure, economic development, and consumer preferences. Mobile internet development in APAC Mobile internet has experienced significant growth worldwide and in the Asia-Pacific region throughout recent years. Since 2015, the number of mobile internet subscribers in APAC has doubled. At the same time, mobile internet download speeds in APAC have improved markedly, with countries like South Korea, China, and Singapore leading the region in performance. As a result, mobile internet user penetration across APAC was forecasted to increase steadily through 2030.

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.

Saudi Arabia Number of Internet Users data was reported at 26.100 Person mn in Dec 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 24.100 Person mn for Sep 2017. Saudi Arabia Number of Internet Users data is updated quarterly, averaging 16.500 Person mn from Jun 2009 (Median) to Dec 2017, with 35 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 26.100 Person mn in Dec 2017 and a record low of 9.600 Person mn in Jun 2009. Saudi Arabia Number of Internet Users data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Communications and Information Technology Commission. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Saudi Arabia – Table SA.TB001: Phone and Internet Statistics.

Belarus Number of Subscribers: Internet Users: per 1000 Population data was reported at 155.000 Person in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 151.000 Person for 2023. Belarus Number of Subscribers: Internet Users: per 1000 Population data is updated yearly, averaging 112.500 Person from Dec 2007 (Median) to 2024, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 155.000 Person in 2024 and a record low of 29.000 Person in 2007. Belarus Number of Subscribers: Internet Users: per 1000 Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Belarus – Table BY.TB001: Main Indicators of Communications Development.

China is home to the largest online community in the world. According to estimates, the Chinese internet population was around **** billion in 2022 and would reach **** billion by 2026. By comparison, the internet user-base of the United States was around *** million in 2022. The country’s internet penetration rate is around ** percent, indicating that almost one out of three Chinese are still offline.

Mobile-first kingdom

Affordable smartphones play an important role in China’s rising internet population. In 2022, almost all Chinese people accessed the internet through mobile phones. Messaging, watching videos, and listening to music are popular activities. In fact, Chinese people spent over three hours of their daily time online. This large and engaged mobile internet population has provided a wide range of opportunities to hi-tech companies in China, including online dating and matchmaking business.

What’s next?

As of June 2022, around ** percent of online users were living in rural China. To provide more affordable and faster internet services, measures have been carried out in the country to reduce service rates and extend the 1,000-Megabyte broadband connection to over *** cities. In 2019, the government announced to roll out 5G networks in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and other major cities. The technology advancement would likely enhance internet accessibility in rural areas, further increasing the country’s internet user base.

Turkey TR: Internet Users: Individuals: % of Population data was reported at 64.685 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 58.348 % for 2016. Turkey TR: Internet Users: Individuals: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 15.020 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 26 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 64.685 % in 2017 and a record low of 0.000 % in 1990. Turkey TR: 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 Turkey – Table TR.World Bank: 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, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database.; Weighted average; Please cite the International Telecommunication Union for third-party use of these data.

Vietnam: Internet users, percent of population: The latest value from 2023 is 78.1 percent, a decline from 78.6 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 72.46 percent, based on data from 177 countries. Historically, the average for Vietnam from 1990 to 2023 is 30.83 percent. The minimum value, 0 percent, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 78.6 percent was recorded in 2022.

In 2025, China reported adding 14 million new users to its massive 1.12 billion internet population. The first half-year data in 2024 revealed that nearly half of the new internet users were between 10 and 18 years old, while a third were older adults aged above 50 years. The largest online community In 2024, China accounted for about one-fifth of the 5.5 billion internet users worldwide. However, compared to its total population, China’s internet penetration rate is lower than in other Asian countries. Penetration rates in both South Korea and Japan were significantly higher. The market potential Internet usage in China is further characterized by a large regional discrepancy. In rural regions, the internet access rate is much lower than the national level. On the other side, the Chinese market is a mobile-first nation. Since 2014, more Chinese people have accessed the internet via mobile devices than computers. The number of mobile internet users in China increased steadily over the previous decade.

As of February 2025, Nigeria had 107 million internet users - the highest number reported all over Africa. Meanwhile, Egypt ranked second with over 96 million users. The majority of web traffic in leading digital markets in Africa originated from mobile devices - in Nigeria, one of the countries with the largest number of internet users worldwide, 86.2 percent of web traffic was generated via smartphones and roughly 13.3 percent via PC devices. This is due in part to the fact that mobile connections are much cheaper and do not require the infrastructure that is needed for traditional desktop PCs with fixed-line internet connections. Anticipating remarkable growth: Africa's internet user surge and projected milestones The projected trend for Africa indicates a consistent rise in internet users from 2024 to 2029. It will have a collective addition of 337.3 million users (equivalent to a growth of 51.79 percent). Following fifteen successive years of growth, the user count is anticipated to reach a record high of 1.1 billion by 2029. Furthermore, the online penetration rate on the continent was 43 percent – which was below the global average, measured at around 68 percent. Unveiling internet trends The region has witnessed a steady increase in internet users over the years. In January 2024, Southern Africa stood out as the African region with the most substantial internet penetration rate, reaching approximately 73.1 percent. The proportion of individuals accessing the internet in this part of Africa and Northern Africa surpassed the global average (66.2 percent). Moreover, Morocco boasted an impressive internet penetration of about 91 percent, securing its position as Africa's foremost country. Libya held the second position with a penetration rate of approximately 88 percent, followed closely by Seychelles at around 86.7 percent.

Saudi Arabia Number of Internet Users: Annual data was reported at 26.100 Person mn in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 23.800 Person mn for 2016. Saudi Arabia Number of Internet Users: Annual data is updated yearly, averaging 10.300 Person mn from Dec 2001 (Median) to 2017, with 17 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 26.100 Person mn in 2017 and a record low of 1.000 Person mn in 2001. Saudi Arabia Number of Internet Users: Annual data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Communications and Information Technology Commission. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Saudi Arabia – Table SA.TB001: Phone and Internet Statistics.

Kyrgyzstan KG: Internet Users: Individuals: % of Population data was reported at 34.500 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 30.247 % for 2015. Kyrgyzstan KG: Internet Users: Individuals: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 13.168 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2016, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 34.500 % in 2016 and a record low of 0.000 % in 1990. Kyrgyzstan KG: 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 Kyrgyzstan – Table KG.World Bank: 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, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database.; Weighted average; Please cite the International Telecommunication Union for third-party use of these data.