Global Internet Penetration: Bridging Divides and Connecting Billions

According to recent data, the number of internet users worldwide has reached 5.44 billion as of April 2024, which accounts for 67.1 percent of the global population. Among these users, 5.07 billion were active social media users, representing 62.6 percent of the world’s population. The internet has become an essential component of modern society, connecting billions of people across the globe.

In terms of internet usage, Northern Europe leads the way with countries like Norway, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates boasting a 99 percent penetration rate. On the other hand, North Korea had remarkably low internet usage among its population, ranking last globally. Asia has the largest number of online users with over 2.93 billion followed by Europe with approximately 750 million users.

Countries such as China, India, and the United States have the highest number of internet users worldwide. In 2022, the global gender disparity in internet usage stood at 63 percent for women, six percent lower than men. The divide was more significant in regions like the Arab States and Africa where there was a ten percent difference between male and female internet users.

However, regions such as the Commonwealth of Independent States and Europe demonstrated a smaller gender gap. Young people aged 15-24 had the highest internet usage rates across all regions, with Europe topping the list at a remarkable penetration rate of 98 percent compared to a global average of only 75 percent.

Furthermore, income levels played a significant role in internet access with high-income countries’ populations utilizing the internet at a rate of 92% compared to only 26% in low-income markets.

Overall, it is clear that while there are still disparities in terms of gender and income levels when it comes to internet access and usage globally; progress is being made every year towards connecting billions more people to this vital tool that has transformed our information society.