Internet Users Worldwide in 2026. Latest Statistics and figures

The internet has become an essential part of modern life, connecting people to information, education, entertainment, businesses and digital services. In 2026, more than six billion people worldwide are using the internet.

According to the latest Digital 2026 Mid-Year Global Update, approximately 6.12 billion people were using the internet at the beginning of April 2026, representing 73.8% of the world's total population.

This means that nearly three out of every four people worldwide are now online.

However, billions of people still remain without internet access, showing that the global digital divide has not disappeared.

Internet Users Worldwide in 2026: Latest Global Statistics and Trends

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Internet Users Worldwide in 2026

The internet has become an essential part of modern life, connecting people to information, education, entertainment, businesses and digital services. In 2026, more than six billion people worldwide are using the internet.

According to the latest Digital 2026 Mid-Year Global Update, approximately 6.12 billion people were using the internet at the beginning of April 2026, representing 73.8% of the world's total population.

This means that nearly three out of every four people worldwide are now online.

However, billions of people still remain without internet access, showing that the global digital divide has not disappeared.

Key Internet Statistics for 2026

Statistic| 2026 Figure
Global internet users| 6.12 billion
Global internet penetration| 73.8%
People still offline| About 2.17 billion
Internet users added in previous 12 months| 59 million reported increase
Global population online| Nearly three-quarters

DataReportal's latest analysis estimates that internet users reached 6.12 billion in April 2026. It also estimates that around 2.17 billion people remained unconnected at that time.

How Many People Use the Internet?

The number of internet users has increased dramatically over the past two decades.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) estimated that approximately 6.0 billion people were online in 2025, equal to about 74% of the world's population. The organization estimated that 2.2 billion people remained offline.

The latest 2026 DataReportal estimate is slightly higher at 6.12 billion users.

The difference between these figures is expected because the organizations use different datasets, reporting periods and methodologies.

Global internet growth

According to ITU:

- Around 5.8 billion people were online in 2024.
- Around 6.0 billion were online in 2025.
- Internet penetration increased from approximately 71% in 2024 to 74% in 2025.
- Approximately 2.2 billion people remained offline in 2025.

This represents substantial progress toward global connectivity, although growth is becoming more gradual as internet adoption approaches saturation in many developed markets.

Internet Penetration in 2026

Internet penetration refers to the percentage of a country's or region's population that uses the internet.

Globally, internet penetration reached approximately 73.8% in April 2026, according to DataReportal's latest analysis.

However, internet access is not evenly distributed around the world.

High-income countries generally have much higher internet adoption than low-income countries. ITU reported that approximately 94% of people in high-income countries were online in 2025, compared with about 23% in low-income countries.

This difference demonstrates that affordability, infrastructure, digital skills and access to suitable devices remain major factors in global connectivity.

Around 2.2 Billion People Are Still Offline

Despite billions of people being connected, a significant portion of the world's population still does not use the internet.

The latest ITU estimate puts the offline population at approximately 2.2 billion people in 2025. DataReportal's April 2026 estimate puts the figure at approximately 2.17 billion.

Many people who remain offline live in developing regions where connectivity can be affected by:

- High internet costs
- Limited network infrastructure
- Lack of digital skills
- Limited access to smartphones or computers
- Rural geography
- Electricity and infrastructure challenges

The digital divide therefore remains an important global technology issue.

India and Global Internet Users

India is one of the world's most important internet markets because of its enormous population and rapidly expanding digital ecosystem.

DataReportal's Digital 2026 analysis highlights a major revision to India's internet-user estimates and reports that around 1 billion Indians are now online, with an internet penetration estimate of approximately 70% based on the latest National Statistics Office data.

India's large online population has contributed to rapid growth in:

- Digital payments
- E-commerce
- Online education
- Social media
- Digital banking
- Online entertainment
- Artificial intelligence services
- Cloud applications

The country's growing internet population is also creating opportunities for startups and technology companies.

Internet Growth Is Slowing

Although the number of people using the internet continues to increase, global growth is becoming slower.

DataReportal's April 2026 analysis recorded approximately 59 million additional internet users over the previous 12 months, equivalent to reported growth of around 1%. However, the organization cautions that delays in official reporting mean that this figure may understate actual growth.

The slowdown is partly expected because a large percentage of the world's population is already connected.

Future growth is therefore likely to come increasingly from countries and communities where internet penetration remains relatively low.

Internet Usage and the Digital Economy

The expansion of internet access has transformed the global economy.

Businesses increasingly depend on the internet for:

- Online sales
- Digital advertising
- Cloud computing
- Remote work
- Customer support
- Digital payments
- Software services
- Artificial intelligence

Consumers also increasingly use online services for shopping, banking, education, entertainment and communication.

As billions of additional people gain reliable connectivity, the global digital economy is expected to continue expanding.

The Future of Global Internet Connectivity

The next stage of internet growth will not only be about connecting more people. It will also be about improving the quality, affordability and usefulness of connectivity.

ITU's latest research emphasizes that meaningful connectivity depends on factors including availability, affordability, devices, skills, quality and security.

Technologies such as 5G, fiber broadband, satellite connectivity and improved mobile networks could help bring reliable internet access to underserved communities.

Artificial intelligence is also becoming increasingly dependent on internet connectivity. As AI-powered applications become more common, reliable digital access could become even more important for education, employment and economic participation.

Conclusion

The world has passed a major digital milestone in 2026, with approximately 6.12 billion people using the internet, according to the latest April 2026 estimate from DataReportal. That represents approximately 73.8% of the world's population.

At the same time, approximately 2.17 billion people remain offline, demonstrating that the digital divide remains a major global challenge.

The future of internet growth will increasingly depend on connecting people in underserved regions and making connectivity more affordable, reliable, secure and useful.

In short, the internet is now used by nearly three-quarters of humanity, but achieving truly universal and meaningful connectivity remains a major global technology challenge.