Ani Petrosyan
Research expert for cybersecurity and cybercrime
Internet usage worldwide - statistics & facts
Choose a region:
The internet continues to transform how we connect with others, organize the flow of Information, and share opinions. With its growing influence on individual consumers and large economies alike, the internet has become a vital part of our day-to-day lives. In 2024, the number of internet users worldwide stood at 5.44 billion, which means that around two-thirds of the global population is currently connected to the world wide web.
The expanded usage of the internet comes with many downsides, such as cyber threats and safety concerns. But on the other side of the spectrum are billions of individuals, whose habits and values are evolving alongside the digital transformation.
Online populations around the world
As of 2023, China remains the leading market by the number of internet users in the world, followed by India and the United States. Overall, East Asia is the region with the highest number of internet users worldwide, whereas Northern Europe has the highest internet penetration rate. Despite having the most extensive online population, China’s online penetration rate is still relatively low at 77.5 percent, compared with countries like the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Norway, and the United Arab Emirates, whose internet penetration rates are approaching 100 percent. This setback can be explained by the slow progress of digital infrastructures in remote regions – an obstacle still visible in many parts of the world.Internet connectivity
While the digital population is visibly growing in many parts of the world, internet access and availability can differ significantly depending on the region. There are still countries and regions where internet access remains notably lower than the global average. As of 2022, Africa had the lowest fixed broadband subscriptions among other regions, with Asia and the Pacific representing the highest number. As of April 2023, the North Korean population remained almost entirely offline, as internet access for the general public is heavily restricted by the government and only permitted with special authorization.Mobile devices accelerate digital connections
Mobile internet has become increasingly widespread and popular over the past few years, as smartphones are more readily available and affordable than ever. As internet users gradually switch to mobile devices to browse the web on the go, mobile internet now accounts for almost 59 percent of total web traffic worldwide.Global internet user demographics
As of April 2024, around 70 percent of the male population in the world was using the internet, compared to only 64.4 percent of women. This disparity is seen in almost all regions across the world but more so in the least developed countries (LDCs). As of 2023, the online usage rate was higher among individuals between 15 and 24 years than among the older generations in all regions worldwide.The expanded usage of the internet comes with many downsides, such as cyber threats and safety concerns. But on the other side of the spectrum are billions of individuals, whose habits and values are evolving alongside the digital transformation.
Ani Petrosyan
,
Jan 13, 2025
Ani Petrosyan
Research expert for cybersecurity and cybercrime
