The stories behind the numbers
Internet use in 2024: reading the 68% figure
ITU’s Facts and Figures 2024 estimated that 68% of the world’s population used the internet in 2024. This is a measure of people, not a count of subscriptions, mobile phones or households with a router.
About what percentage of the world’s population used the internet in 2024?
Answer and explanation: 68 %
ITU’s 2024 edition estimated 68%. This measures people using the internet, not the number of connections.
ITU · Facts and Figures 2024Try one question
About what percentage of the world’s population used the internet in 2024?
Reveal the answer
Answer and explanation
68 %
ITU’s 2024 edition estimated 68%. This measures people using the internet, not the number of connections.
What counts as internet use?
The ITU indicator refers to individuals who used the internet from any location during the previous three months. The device or network does not define the person: someone using both a phone and a computer is still one individual. This also differs from network coverage, which describes whether a service is available in an area.
Picture a group of 100
As a simple illustration of the rounded percentage, imagine a representative group of 100 people: about 68 would be users. That is a way to visualize the proportion, not a claim that every village, country or age group has the same mix. A worldwide percentage can hide substantial differences between groups.
What the number leaves out
Using the internet does not by itself establish that a connection is fast, reliable or affordable, or that someone has the skills needed for every online task. Those require other measures. For a change over time, compare compatible definitions and editions: ITU notes that estimates for earlier years may be revised when new national data arrive.
Ask “68% of whom, under which definition, in which edition?” before comparing internet statistics.