Just 38% of Africans used the internet in 2024, against a world average of 68%
Africa has the lowest internet-use rate of any world region, roughly half the global average, though the share has risen fast from 25% in 2019.
In 2024 an estimated 38% of people in Africa used the internet, the lowest rate of any ITU region and well below the world average of 68% [S1][S2]. Europe (91%) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (92%) are more than twice as connected. Africa is catching up quickly though: its rate was 25% in 2019, so use has grown faster than the world average over the same period [S1]. The honest caveat is that these are modelled regional estimates, not a single survey year across all countries, and ITU's regional groupings differ from common geographic ones, so cross-region comparisons are indicative rather than exact.
- 38% of Africans used the internet in 2024, the lowest of any world region.
- That is a little over half the world average of 68%.
- Africa's rate climbed from 25% in 2019, growing faster than the global figure.
- TIER A International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Facts and Figures 2024 (Measuring digital development) (2024). https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-d/opb/ind/D-IND-ICT_MDD-2024-4-PDF-E.pdf
Percentage of individuals using the internet by region, 2019 and 2024: Africa 25/38, Arab States 54/70, Asia-Pacific 48/66, CIS 76/92, Europe 82/91, Americas 76/87, World 53/68. - TIER A International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Facts and Figures 2024: Internet use (2024). https://www.itu.int/itu-d/reports/statistics/2024/11/10/ff24-internet-use/
Confirms World 68%, Africa 38%, Asia-Pacific 66%, Arab States 70%, and Europe/CIS/Americas between 87 and 92 per cent in 2024.