Worldwide Internet Users Top 1 Billion in 2005. USA Reach Nearly 200M Internet Users

etForecasts: Global. The number of Internet users surpassed 1 billion in 2005—up from only 45M in 1995 and 420M in 2000. The 2 billion Internet users milestone is expected in 2011. Much of current and future Internet user growth is coming from populous countries such as China, India, Brazil, Russia and Indonesia. In the next decade many Internet users will be supplementing PC Internet usage with Smartphone and mobile device Internet usage. In developing countries many new Internet users will come from cell phone and Smartphone Internet usage. The U.S. continues to lead with nearly 200M Internet users at year-end 2005. The two most populous countries—China and India—are now in 2^nd and 4^th place in Internet users.

Internet user penetration is now in the 65% to 75% range for the leading countries and future growth is limited. Internet user penetration for the populous and developing countries is in the 10% to 20% range. The developing countries have room to grow and wireless web usage will account for much of future Internet user growth. More: Internet Users By Country Publ 20060103