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 considerable 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This dataset contains country-level internet usage data from 2000 to 2023. It provides the percentage of the population using the internet in different countries over time. This data can be useful for analyzing global internet penetration, digital adoption trends, and technological growth across regions.

🔹 Dataset Information:

• Country Name & Code – Identifies each country.
• Yearly Internet Usage (%) – The percentage of the population using the internet from 2000 to 2023.
• Missing Values (No Data) – Some countries may have missing data for certain years.

📈 Potential Use Cases:

• Trend Analysis: Explore how internet usage has evolved globally.
• Regional Comparisons: Compare internet adoption across countries and continents.
• Machine Learning Applications
  • Time-Series Forecasting – Predict future internet usage trends using models like ARIMA, LSTM, or Prophet.
  • Clustering & Segmentation – Group countries based on their internet adoption rates using k-means or hierarchical clustering.
  • Feature Engineering – Use internet penetration as a predictor in socio-economic or technological development models.

📌 Source:

Modified from this source World bank group data

This dataset is valuable for data visualization, time-series analysis, and policy-making research related to digital growth.

Individuals using the Internet (% of population) in Uzbekistan was reported at 89.01 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Uzbekistan - Individuals using the Internet (% of population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.

Actual value and historical data chart for Brazil Individuals Using The Internet Percent Of Population

The USA: Internet users, percent of population: The latest value from 2023 is 93.1 percent, an increase from 92.2 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 72.46 percent, based on data from 177 countries. Historically, the average for the USA from 1990 to 2023 is 56.21 percent. The minimum value, 0.79 percent, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 93.1 percent was recorded in 2023.

Actual value and historical data chart for Liberia Individuals Using The Internet Percent Of Population

Actual value and historical data chart for Lebanon Individuals Using The Internet Percent Of Population

As of October 2025, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates recorded the highest internet penetration rates worldwide, each reaching ** percent. In comparison, the global internet penetration rate during the same period stood at approximately **** 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.

This dataset provides historical data on the share of individuals using the Internet worldwide, broken down by country and year (1960–2023). It can be used to analyze the global digital divide, internet penetration trends, regional growth, and much more.

Individuals using the Internet (% of population) in India was reported at 55.9 % in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Individuals using the Internet (% of population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.

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

Actual value and historical data chart for Madagascar Individuals Using The Internet Percent Of Population

Actual value and historical data chart for China Individuals Using The Internet Percent Of Population

Jamaica: Internet users, percent of population: The latest value from 2023 is 83.4 percent, an increase from 82.4 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 72.46 percent, based on data from 177 countries. Historically, the average for Jamaica from 1990 to 2023 is 29.57 percent. The minimum value, 0 percent, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 83.4 percent was recorded in 2023.

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 Ivory Coast: Internet users, percent of population: The latest value from 2023 is 40.7 percent, an increase from 38.4 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 72.46 percent, based on data from 177 countries. Historically, the average for the Ivory Coast from 1990 to 2023 is 12.87 percent. The minimum value, 0 percent, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 43.8 percent was recorded in 2017.