What percentage of the world uses the internet?

The internet has changed the way the world works, learns, and forms connections. New technologies and services built on this innovation offer new opportunities for economic growth, distance learning, and cultural advances. Despite its importance, access to the internet is not universal. There is still a sizable population that lives offline. Data from the World Bank reveals that in 2023, about 3 in 10 people globally do not use the internet. While usage rates vary, trends show that people living in advanced economies where internet infrastructure is robust, and investments continue to expand networks often have the highest rates of internet usage.

Internet usage has grown rapidly since 2005; the earliest year data is available. In 2005 only 15% of individuals globally used the Internet. That figure reached 69% in 2023.  

Canada, the United States, and Australia along with countries in Western Europe are among the countries with the highest internet usage with more than 90% of their population reporting to have used the internet within the last 3 months.