Digital internet trends around the world And their impact on global internet usage, mobile adoption, and e-commerce.

The digital revolution has transformed the way we connect and engage globally. As of 2023, a staggering 5.30 billion people, accounting for 65.7% of the world’s population, are active internet users. However, it’s not surprising that the true adoption rate may surpass these numbers due to delays gathering data.

In this article, I’m discussing global internet usage trends. To assist in this discussion, I’ve summarised the key facts from the Digital 2023 October Global Statshot Report, which is a comprehensive study of all the latest trends in how the world uses the internet, mobile devices, and ecommerce platforms in October 2023. 

Here are the facts that really stand out:

• 5.30 billion people were using the internet at the beginning of Q4 2023, comprising 65.7% of the world’s total population.
• The internet user base increased by 189 million in the 12 months leading to October 2023.
• Annual growth rates were reported at 3.7%, indicating a slower pace compared to previous years, yet still substantial.
• Approximately 2.77 billion individuals remain unconnected, primarily in Southern and Eastern Asia, as well as in Africa.
• The prediction suggests that around two-thirds of the global population will be online by mid-2024.

While internet adoption is skyrocketing, it is alarming to note that 2.77 billion people are still unconnected. What does this mean for them? What about internet equality and their right to it? 

According to the organisation ‘Open Internet for Democracy’, everyone should have universal and open access to the internet. This means access that is free from discrimination, filtering control or other centralised restrictions. 

In terms of global mobile usage, consider these trends:

• 95% of global internet users access the internet through mobile phones.
• Mobile phones contribute to approximately 57% of online time and 53% of web traffic.
• Despite mobile dominance, over 60% of internet users in major economies still use laptops and desktops for online activities.
• The total number of unique mobile users globally reached 5.60 billion in October 2023.

And when it comes to E-commerce, take a look at these global statistics:

• 56.5% of internet users aged 16 to 64 engage in weekly online purchases.
• The total expenditure on online consumer goods in 2022 reached nearly US$3.6 trillion, experiencing a decline of 6.5% from 2021 due to the return to physical stores after COVID-19 lockdowns.

The way we consume data, shop and interact with each other is now primarily done through mobile devices and mobile data. This trend is set to continue with small and smarter phones, smart devices like Apple Watches and even smart glasses. 

How has global internet adoption changed how we live and work?

Transitioning from fax to email, adopting Wi-Fi, EFTPOS, smartphones, barcode tracking, social media usage, and cloud-based record-keeping reflect your digital adoption. 

Global internet adoption has revolutionised daily life and work, enabling instant global communication, vast information access, and remote working flexibility. It fostered global markets, facilitated cultural exchange, and accelerated innovation, while also challenging traditional business models and reshaping social interactions, making the world increasingly interconnected and digitally dependent.

With faster internet and better plans available to consumers, we are witnessing a global transformation of ecommerce, business, connectivity and data sharing. Gone are the days of slow internet in most capital cities. New plans like nbn 250 or nbn 1000 are the norm now, providing us with super fast internet. 

The statistics summarised in this article are referenced to the Digital 2023 October Global Statshot Report, which provides an in-depth analysis of over 300 slides encapsulating the latest digital statistics and trends globally.

Author: Marshall Thurlow is the Director and Founder of Orion Marketing Pty Ltd. He is a digital marketer with expertise in SEO, website design, content marketing and project management.