Global Internet Penetration Rate (2010–2024)
Rising year after year, the number of internet users worldwide has nearly doubled since 2014. In 2024, this figure is set to rise by 1.8%, to 5.35 billion. What does the rising number of people going online say about internet adoption rate? In other words, what is the global average internet penetration rate today, and how has this figure evolved in recent years?
In this post, we examine global internet penetration rates from 2010 to 2024 to provide an overview of how widespread internet use has become.
Global internet penetration rates: 2010–2024
|
Year |
Percentage of the global population using the internet |
|---|---|
|
2010 |
27.5% |
|
2011 |
30.3% |
|
2012 |
32.8% |
|
2013 |
34.8% |
|
2014 |
37.4% |
|
2015 |
39.8% |
|
2016 |
42.9% |
|
2017 |
47.2% |
|
2018 |
49.8% |
|
2019 |
53.6% |
|
2020 |
58.7% |
|
2021 |
61.9% |
|
2022 |
64.2% |
|
2023 |
65.5% |
|
2024 |
67.1% |
According to recent statistics, from 2010 to 2024, internet penetration rose at a remarkable rate. In 2010, only 27.5% of the global population used the internet. A year later, this figure had increased to 30.3%. This upward trend continued steadily over the following years, and by 2015, the figure had risen to 39.8%. Analysts say the increase experienced during these few years was driven by cheaper access to mobile devices and improved telecommunications policies.
In 2019, internet penetration exceeded the 50% milestone, marking the first time that more than half of the world's population was connected to the internet.
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The subsequent years continued to see robust growth, with 2020 experiencing a dramatic jump to 58.7%, likely fueled by the global COVID-19 pandemic which pushed the remote working agenda, digital learning, and online social interactions. In 2024, this number is expected to reach 67.1%, marking more than two-thirds of the population worldwide.
Internet penetration rates ranked by region
|
Region |
Internet penetration rate |
|---|---|
|
1. Northern Europe |
97.6% |
|
2. Northern America |
96.8% |
|
3. Western Europe |
94.5% |
|
4. Southern Europe |
90.2% |
|
5. Eastern Europe |
88.4% |
A separate study shows that Northern Europe has the highest internet penetration, at 97.6%. It is followed closely by North America at 96.8% and Western Europe at 94.5%. Southern and Eastern Europe complete the top five, with penetration rates of 90.2% and 88.4%, respectively.
These high figures reflect the advanced telecommunications infrastructure and the widespread availability of internet services in these regions.
Factors driving rising internet penetration rates
The surge in internet usage over the years can be attributed to several factors. This includes the expansion of mobile connectivity, governmental and private investments in broadband infrastructure, and the decreasing cost of internet access in many parts of the world. Additionally, the multifaceted nature of the internet and increasing reliance on digital platforms for business, education, and communication continues to push internet usage upward.