Global Digital Users Update 2018

Executive Summary

• How many global internet users are using mobile phones to go online? Among the 3.75 billion internet users worldwide in 2019, 86.2% will use a mobile phone to go online. Desktops and laptops are still widely used by internet users. However, individuals signing online for the first time are opting for smartphones as their first internet-ready device, due to their lower cost. Nearly nine in 10 mobile phone internet users will rely on a smartphone for online access.
• Which markets and regions are gaining the most internet users? On a regional level, internet audiences in 2019 will grow fastest in Asia-Pacific (5.8%) and the Middle East and Africa (5.3%). Among individual countries, China (5.0%), India (9.1%) and Indonesia (9.4%) are growing at rapid rates in 2019. Improving mobile broadband coverage and an influx of affordable smartphones from manufacturers like Huawei, Oppo and Xiaomi will drive these increases.