Chart of the week: Global internet user growth outstrips population increase

Despite a greater proportion of the global population online, 2.6 billion people remain without access

The internet has become an essential part of modern life, with 68 per cent of the world’s population – about 5.5 billion people – now online, according to Statista. This growth highlights the rapid integration of digital technology into everyday life.

Our latest Chart of the Week illustrates how the number of internet users has grown significantly faster than the global population increase over the past two decades. Internet user numbers are increasing at an annual rate of 9.3 per cent – far outpacing global population growth of 1.15 per cent, the UN Population Division says.

About 236 million new users come online each year, driven by improved infrastructure, affordable smartphones and efforts to expand digital inclusion, according to Statista.

Who remains unconnected?

Despite the rapid growth, 32 per cent of the global population – around 2.6 billion people – remain offline, Statista reports. Many of those still unconnected live in Africa, where internet penetration has increased from 7.6 per cent in 2009 to 33 per cent in 2021, highlighting significant progress but still lagging behind other regions.

Top 10 countries with the least internet usage in 2024

According to data from online media monitoring company Meltwater, the countries with the highest percentage of offline populations this year are:

1. North Korea: >99.9% offline (Blocked)
2. Central African Republic: 89.4% offline (5.2 million unconnected individuals)
3. Burundi: 88.7% offline (11.9 million unconnected individuals)
4. South Sudan: 87.9% offline (9.8 million unconnected individuals)
5. Niger: 83.1% offline (23.0 million unconnected individuals)
6. Yemen: 82.3% offline (28.6 million unconnected individuals)
7. Afghanistan: 81.6% offline (34.9 million unconnected individuals)
8. Ethiopia: 80.6% offline (103.3 million unconnected individuals)
9. Burkina Faso: 80.1% offline (18.9 million unconnected individuals)
10. Madagascar: 79.4% offline (24.4 million unconnected individuals)

While North Korea remains almost entirely unconnected due to government restrictions, countries like the Central African Republic and Burundi face challenges stemming from limited infrastructure and economic constraints. Meanwhile, nations such as South Sudan and Yemen grapple with conflict and instability, further hindering connectivity. In comparison, countries like the US and UK have penetration rates exceeding 90 per cent, highlighting the stark global digital divide.

Top 10 countries by internet users in 2024

According to World Population Review, the top 10 countries by internet users this year are:

1. China: 1.1 billion users
2. India: 881.3 million users
3. United States: 311.3 million users
4. Indonesia: 215.6 million users
5. Pakistan: 170 million users
6. Brazil: 165.3 million users
7. Nigeria: 136.2 million users
8. Russia: 129.8 million users
9. Bangladesh: 126.2 million users
10. Japan: 117.4 million users

China and India have the largest number of internet users. While 79 per cent of China's population is online, penetration rates are lower in India, with 63 per cent of people there using the internet. By comparison, countries such as the US and UK have penetration rates exceeding 90 per cent.

The digital access gap

The internet has transformed communication, education, and commerce, reshaping how people engage with the world, from basic messaging to advanced AI applications.

However, significant disparities remain. While the Arabian Peninsula enjoys some of the world’s highest connectivity rates, Africa continues to face challenges as the least connected region.

Efforts to bridge this digital divide are critical. Infrastructure development and affordable technology will play a vital role in connecting the 2.6 billion people who remain offline, Statista reports. Achieving universal access to the internet remains a major challenge, but also holds the potential to unlock opportunities for a more connected and inclusive world.