The internet spreads its web across the globe, finding its main uses in connectivity and information
As of February 2025, there are 5.56 billion internet users globally, accounting for 67.9% of the world’s population, according to Statista.
Global Internet Users Reach 5.56 Billion, Covering 67.9% of World Population in 2025
Out of these 5.56 billion internet users, 5.24 billion people are social media users, which equals 63.9% of the global population.
China has the largest number of internet users worldwide, as many as 1.11 billion, Statista reports.
China’s online population is more than three times larger than that of the third-ranked United States, which has about 322 million internet users in 2025.
Despite being the largest, China’s internet penetration rate is relatively low at 78%, compared with its population size.
The global average internet penetration rate stands at 67.9% as of February 2025.
India Becomes the World’s Second-Largest Digital Population by Internet Users
India has the second-largest digital population in the world by internet users.
According to the DataReportal Digital 2025 report, India’s internet users grew by 49 million (6.5%) between January 2024 and January 2025.
By February 2025, India reached 806 million internet users, behind China (1.11 billion), but far ahead of the U.S. (322 million), as reported by Statista.
India’s internet penetration rate is just over 55%, which is lower than both the U.S. and China.
The top 10 countries with the largest digital populations by internet users in February 2025 are:
- China – 1,110 million
- India – 806 million
- United States – 322 million
- Indonesia – 212 million
- Brazil – 183 million
- Russia – 133 million
- Pakistan – 116 million
- Mexico – 110 million
- Japan – 109 million
- Nigeria – 107 million
Elon Musk’s Satellite Internet Will Be 10 Times Faster In India: Everything You Need To Know
We recently reported that after years of waiting, SpaceX’s Starlink is finally set to launch its satellite broadband services in India. With regulatory approval from IN-SPACe and pending spectrum clearances in the final stages, commercial rollout is expected by late 2025 or early 2026. Starlink will operate using Ka and Ku-band frequencies under its Gen1 satellite license, valid till 2030.
