About 694-million people worldwide over age 15 are now using the internet, about 14% of the total population in this age group, according to a survey released on Thursday.
The report by research firm comScore Networks claims to be ”the first true estimate of global online audience size and behaviour” using consistent methodology.
The estimate was based on a survey of major markets including China and India.
”Today, the online audience in the US represents less than a quarter of internet users across the globe, versus 10 years ago when it accounted for two-thirds of the global audience,” said Peter Daboll, president and chief executive of comScore Media Metrix.
According to the report, the United States still had the single largest internet audience, of 152-million users, followed by China with 72-million.
The figures differ from some other surveys and official data — China for example is believed to have over 100-million web users — because the comScore data excludes those under 15 or those accessing the internet from cybercafes, cellphones or digital assistants.
Third on the list was Japan with 52-million users, followed by Germany (32-million) and Britain (30-million).
In sixth place was South Korea (24,6-million) followed by France (23,9-million), Canada (19-million), Italy 16,8-million and India (16,7-million).
Rounding out the top 15 countries were Brazil (13,2-million), Spain (12,5-million), The Netherlands (11-million), Russia (10,8-million) and Australia (9,7-million).
In terms on most time spent online, Israel led the list, with the average user spending 57,5 hours online during the month — twice as much time compared to the average person in the United States.
Rounding out the top five in this category were Finland, South Korea, The Netherlands and Taiwan.
The data showed ”high levels of engagement in countries outside the US. In fact, the US does not even make the top 15 country list in terms of hours per user per month,” said Daboll.
Among the top websites worldwide, Microsoft’s MSN sites headed the list with 538,6-million global users, followed by Google (495,8-million users), and Yahoo (480,2-million users). – AFP
