In January 2024, there were 5.35 billion internet users worldwide, or 66.2 percent of the global population. Of that number, 5.04 billion, or 62.3 percent of the world's population, are social media users.

Global Internet Usage

Connecting billions of people across the globe, the internet is a major pillar of modern information society. Northern Europe ranks first among regions worldwide in terms of the number of internet users in 2023. In Norway, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, 99 percent of the population uses the internet as of April 2023. North Korea is at the opposite end of the spectrum, with virtually no internet penetration among the general population, ranking last in the world.

Asia is home to the largest number of online users globally – over 2.93 billion according to the latest count. Europe ranks second with around 750 million internet users. China, India, and the United States are ranked among the top compared to other countries in the world in terms of internet user base.

Demographics of Internet Users Worldwide

In 2022, the number of female internet users worldwide was 63 percent, six percent lower than males. The gender gap in internet usage is larger in the Arab and African countries, with a difference of about ten percent. Regions around the world, such as the Commonwealth of Independent States and Europe, demonstrate a smaller gender gap. In 2022, global internet usage was higher among individuals aged 15 to 24 years in all regions, with young people in Europe representing the most significant usage penetration, at 98 percent. In comparison, the average among the 15-24 age group across the world is 75 percent. A country's income level is also an important factor in internet access, as 92 percent of the population in high-income countries are reported to be using the internet, compared to only 26 percent in low-income countries.