Demographics & Use

The number of internet users worldwide continues to grow. While internet penetration in the most economically developed countries is already nearly 100 percent, there are still billions of people around the world without access. Mobile internet, whether via a high-end smartphone or a cheap feature phone, is transforming how people go online and what the internet can be used for. Many other factors, like age, gender, education, and income, also greatly influence internet access and consumption. Knowing how different demographic groups spend their time online is essential for anyone trying to understand better how internet users and consumers around the world behave.

Market size

How internet access varies by world region

Global internet penetration rate as of January 2024, by region

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Further details: Visit original statistic Global internet penetration rate as of January 2024, by region

As of 2023, the global internet penetration rate was over 64 percent. Among global regions, the online penetration rate was highest in Northern and Western Europe. The lowest online presence was reported in Eastern and Middle Africa and Southern Asia. This picture is more likely to be linked to the development of digital infrastructure. However, as technology improves and budget smartphones become more widely available, less developed regions are set to see a huge increase in online users.

Internet usage worldwide
Global mobile traffic share by region

Market segments

Gen Z spend the longest time online

Average daily time spent using the internet by 3rd quarter 2023, by age and gender (in hours. minutes)

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Further details: Visit original statistic Average daily time spent using the internet by 3rd quarter 2023, by age and gender (in hours. minutes)

For younger generations, the internet is undoubtedly the main communication channel. Accordingly, users between 16 and 24 are the most active internet users worldwide. They have grown up with smart technology and mobile devices, which means being constantly connected is natural to them. Millennials ranked second by the average daily time spent online. Older generations tend to spend relatively less time online.

Internet usage demographics in the U.S.
Global internet usage rate, by gender and market maturity

Industry trends

Smartphones take up a significant share of devices used to go online

Share of users worldwide accessing the internet in 3rd quarter 2023, by device

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Further details: Visit original statistic Share of users worldwide accessing the internet in 3rd quarter 2023, by device

Mobile phones, mostly smartphones, are the most widely used devices for accessing the internet. In the third quarter of 2022, 91 percent of worldwide adults between 16 and 64 years used smartphones for connecting to the internet. Devices like laptops, connected TVs, and tablet devices, lagged behind. Within the last five years, mobile's share of average daily time spent online has decreased by around ten percent.

Distribution of desktop and mobile traffic share
Mobile internet usage worldwide

State of the industry

  • Mobile internet usage worldwide
  • Internet usage in the United States
  • Internet usage in China
  • Internet usage in Latin America
  • Internet usage in Europe
  • Internet usage of teenagers in the United States
  • Internet usage in the Asia-Pacific region
  • Internet usage in India
  • Internet usage in Indonesia
  • Internet usage in Morocco

Industry Definition

Statista offers comprehensive data on global internet usage. The platform provides up-to-date information on the size of the global online population, country-specific online penetration rates, and online user demographics.

In this section, users can find a wide range of statistics covering the latest trends in online user behavior. Survey data on internet usage times are available alongside information on the devices and technologies most commonly used to browse the web. In addition, the database also offers relevant insights into popular online activities and identifies the most visited websites, leading social networks, and mobile apps worldwide.

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