On average, an individual spends 6 hours and 38 minutes on the internet daily, amounting to 27.6% of each day

Key takeaways:

  • A staggering 96.3% of users access the internet via mobile devices, making smartphones the most important digital tools in the world today.
  • While 82.7% of the global urban population is online, only 47.4% of the rural population has access. That’s a huge gap that reflects deep inequalities in infrastructure and digital opportunity.
  • Spending 6 hours and 38 minutes online every day isn’t just scrolling time; it’s a shift in how humans live, learn, and earn. It’s equivalent to more than 100 full days online per year per person.
  • Although mobile dominates, 61.5% of users still access the internet through computers, proving that traditional devices still matter for work, school, or content creation.
  • While 70% of men use the internet, 65.7% of women do. This gap may seem small, but on a global scale, it represents millions of women without access to tools for learning, income, and visibility.
  • With billions spending almost 7 hours daily online, the internet is where decisions are made, opinions are formed, and lives are influenced.

In 2025, the internet continues to be a core part of daily life for billions. With 5.56 billion people online, representing nearly 68% of the global population, it's clear that the internet is no longer a luxury — it’s a lifestyle.  The average user spends 6 hours and 38 minutes online daily, which is more than a quarter of their entire day.
The divide between urban and rural areas, between men and women, and between devices reveals that while the world is more connected than ever, not everyone is experiencing the internet equally.

Source:

Digital 2025 Global Overview Report

Period:

2025
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Mobile data usage in Sub-Saharan Africa significantly lags behind the global average of 21.6 GB per month
  • Sub-Saharan Africa has the lowest mobile data usage globally, at 6.7 GB/month, which is less than one-third of the global average.
  • India, Nepal, and Bhutan top the global chart with the highest data consumption at 36 GB/month, signalling deep mobile integration in daily life.
  • Gulf Cooperation Council countries follow closely with 31.9 GB/month.
  • Western Europe and North America share the same high usage rate of 25.8 GB/month, indicating mature digital economies with consistent connectivity.
  • Latin America also lags, though still more than twice ahead of Sub-Saharan Africa at 15.2 GB/month.
  • The Middle East and North Africa surpass the global average too, at 22.7 GB/month, further highlighting the unique lag of Sub-Saharan Africa in mobile data use.
54.3% of Nigeria's population — about 128.3 million people — are still unconnected, placing the country fourth in the world
  • India tops the list with 651.6 million people offline — almost five times Nigeria’s number, but a smaller percentage (44.7%) of its population.
  • China has 311.9 million unconnected people, but that’s only 22% of its population.
  • With 78.7% of its population offline (105.2M people), Ethiopia has the lowest internet penetration among the top countries listed.
  • Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Pakistan all have over 50% of their populations unconnected.
  • Despite their smaller populations, over 70% of people in both Tanzania and Uganda remain offline.
  • While Nigeria is a regional tech hub, it still has over 128 million people offline, pointing to a major disconnect between urban tech growth and rural internet access.
At 18.91mb/sec, Nigeria ranks 102nd among 111 countries, making it the tenth among countries with the worst mobile download speed
  • With a median mobile download speed of 441.89 Mbps, the UAE is in a league of its own, setting a high benchmark for digital infrastructure globally.
  • At just 18.91 Mbps, Nigeria ranks 102nd, only narrowly ahead of countries like Ecuador and Libya. This means the digital experience for most Nigerians is significantly slower than the global average.
  • The difference between the fastest and slowest countries spans over 400 Mbps, showing a growing divide in how nations can participate in digital economies.
  • Countries like Denmark, South Korea, Norway, and the Netherlands continue to show strong mobile connection.
  • It's notable that Qatar and Kuwait, alongside the UAE, are not just energy-rich but also leaders in mobile connectivity.
  • Several African nations, Nigeria, Libya, and Mozambique, feature among the slowest, highlighting the urgent need for investment in faster, more reliable mobile networks across the continent.
Eastern Africa has the least internet adoption worldwide with just 29% adoption rate
  • With a 98% adoption rate, Northern Europe leads the world in digital inclusion.
  • Eastern Africa (29%), Middle Africa (34%), and Western Africa (43%) have the lowest adoption rates.
  • Southern and Eastern Europe boast over 90% adoption, proving that even outside the wealthiest nations, high connectivity is achievable.
  • While Eastern Asia (79%) and South-Eastern Asia (78%) show strong progress, Southern Asia lags behind at 54%.
  • Oceania maintains a solid 78% adoption rate, quietly outperforming many regions.
  • With 70% adoption, the Caribbean outperforms parts of Asia and Africa.
From 4.3M to 5.6B, the number of individuals using the internet globally since the creation of the first website has risen by over 130,000%
  • Between 1995 and 2000, internet users jumped from 39.4 million to 394 million, a 900% leap that marked the beginning of the digital era.
  • Just 14 years after the first website, over 1 billion people were online, showing how quickly the internet became essential.
  • Between 2010 and 2015, internet usage grew by 54.5%, slower than before but still powerful, especially in developing regions coming online.
  • With 5.6 billion users in January 2025, most of the world is now online, and future growth will be more about improving access, speed, and quality than just connecting new people.
  • Each phase had its catalyst. In the 1990s, it was websites and email. The 2000s brought broadband and Google. In the 2010s, it was smartphones. Now, it's AI, 5G, and IoT that are quietly shaping the future of internet use.
An impressive 93% of internet users worldwide engage with social media
  • Social media is not optional; it’s universal, with 93% usage globally.
  • Traditional broadcast TV still sees 89.7% usage, and streaming TV (77.1%) isn’t far behind.
  • Individuals consume online news more than physical newspapers.
  • 66.4% still tune in to radio, showing that audio content still has a loyal base.
  • At 65.3% usage, platforms like Spotify and Apple Music are not just for entertainment; they’re part of people’s routines.
  • With 63.7% global engagement, podcasts are now a core part of modern media usage.
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