Internet access around the world: the state of the art

Sushree Behera

31 August 2023

In the dynamic realm of today’s high-speed existence, our smartphones have seamlessly melded into our hands and information hurtles across distances with unprecedented speed.

Here exists a wondrous and almost magical force at play – the internet. Envision an unbounded domain where you can effortlessly bridge the gap with friends spanning oceans.

One can plunge into the profound depths of knowledge, and even conjure sustenance to your doorstep with the mere tap of a finger. According to Eric Schmidt, the internet is huge as 5 million terabytes of data.

It’s not an overstatement to declare that the internet has morphed into an essential cornerstone of our everyday routines, fundamentally reshaping how we communicate, learn, toil, and revel in leisure pursuits.

The Internet is vast, it holds countless information and everything is accessible. The indexed web has more than 2 billion pages. The most surprising thing is that yet only half of the world population is using the net.

Table of Contents

Number of net users worldwide

By April 2023, a staggering 5.18 billion individuals across the globe were actively engaged in utilising the internet’s expensive domain. This numeration equated to an impressive 64.6 percent of the entire global populace.

This signifies the far-reaching impact and integration of online connectivity into our modern lives. The proliferation of web users maintains its upward trajectory, boasting a steady annual growth rate of 2.1 percent on a worldwide scale.

Predominantly nestled within the expansive lands of Asia, a colossal contingent of 2.6 billion individuals is harmoniously navigating the virtual avenues that the internet unfurls. This regional dominance underscores the central role Asia occupies in the digital age’s narrative.

Unveiling a critical reality, approximately 2.85 billion people still find themselves detached from the web’s intricate tapestry, secluded from its myriad advantages.

These unconnected masses are predominantly clustered within the enclaves of Southern and Eastern Asia as well as Africa, outlining areas where concerted efforts are requisite to bridge the digital divide and usher in an era of comprehensive access for all.

Countries with the highest internet penetration rates

Highlighted by the World Bank, the nations showcasing the most robust internet penetration rates encompass:

Qatar: A staggering 99.9% of the populace actively engages with the internet;
Kuwait: An impressive 99.6% of the population utilizes the internet;
United Arab Emirates (UAE): Equally at 99.6%, the UAE demonstrates a substantial online presence;
Iceland: A remarkable 98.4% of Iceland’s residents are smoothly connected to the online realm;
Denmark: With 98.3% of its populace partaking in online activities, Denmark secures a prominent position;
Norway: Sharing the same percentile, Norway solidifies its online presence with 98.3% of its citizens interconnected.

Notably, China commands the largest online user base, exceeding a billion individuals. However, the proportion of China’s inhabitants engaged online stands at a relatively modest 73.7%.

As per the latest statistics from July 2023, the Northern European region emerges as the global frontrunner in net penetration, boasting an impressive rate of 97.3% users among its population. Western Europe pursues this at 90.6%, while North America follows closely at 89.5%, and Oceania maintains a rate of 68.6%.

It’s important to acknowledge that different sources may yield slightly varying rankings and percentages, contingent upon the utilised data and analytical methodology. Nevertheless, the countries mentioned above consistently secure top positions in the realm of internet penetration rates.

Mobile internet usage

In recent times, the utilization of mobile internet has experienced a notable surge in popularity. This trend has drawn in a staggering count of more than 4.32 billion distinct users who engage with the internet through their handheld devices.

As we progress, we are on track for further escalating this figure, projecting to achieve an estimated total of 5.48 billion exclusive mobile users by April 2023.

Within the realm of mobile internet usage, a collection of pivotal statistics and prevailing trends emerge, shedding light on its significance:

A substantial 92.3% of individuals making use of the internet opt to do so via their mobile phones;
The continent of Africa stands out, boasting the highest proportion of internet traffic originating from mobile devices, an impressive 69.13%;
Surpassing the halfway mark, mobile devices contribute to over 50% of all streaming of videos;
Remarkably, more than 60% of the global internet community comprises of unique mobile internet users;
Notably, China stands as a prime example with its active mobile internet users exceeding a staggering 1 billion;
Noteworthy is the fact that the surge in mobile internet usage significantly stimulates the rise of digital adoption and overall online engagement

These statistics vividly underscore the burgeoning significance of mobile internet usage in our everyday existence. Fueled by the proliferation of high-speed mobile networks and the pervasive presence of smartphones and other portable gadgets, the trajectory of mobile internet usage is set to maintain its upward trend. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years.