Number of people using the Internet in France
France: Number of people using the Internet was 56.90 million users in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Number of people using the Internet in France, 1990–2021
Source: World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database - International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026); Population based on various sources (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in. Measured in users.
Analysis
The most recent figure for number of people using the internet in France is 56.90 million users, measured in 2021. That is the highest value across all 32 years on record.
That represents a change of up 1.9% on the previous year and up 14.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of people using the internet in France peaked at 56.90 million users in 2021 and was at its lowest, 30,091 users, in 1990.
That places France 19th out of 207 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1.52 million users | 30,091 users | 5.39 million users | 10 |
| 2000s | 27.47 million users | 8.51 million users | 45.17 million users | 10 |
| 2010s | 52.10 million users | 49.01 million users | 54.78 million users | 10 |
| 2020s | 56.36 million users | 55.83 million users | 56.90 million users | 2 |
Countries ranked near France
- 16 Bangladesh 65.25 million users compare
- 17 United Kingdom 65.09 million users compare
- 18 Thailand 61.16 million users compare
- 20 South Korea 50.59 million users compare
- 21 South Africa 46.11 million users compare
- 22 Spain 44.82 million users compare
More science & technology data for France
- Scientific and technical journal articles 62,180 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 77.53 million (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 116.69 per 100 people (2023)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 116.69 per 100 people (2023)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 1,373 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 88.7% (2024)
- Patent applications, residents 13,386 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 2.2% (2023)
- Human resources in science and technology (HRST) by category and NUTS 21,189 Thousand persons (2025)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 48.93 per 100 people (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of people using the internet in France?
- Number of people using the internet in France was 56.90 million users in 2021, according to World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database - International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026); Population based on various sources (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in.
- What is the highest number of people using the internet recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 56.90 million users in 2021.
- What is the lowest number of people using the internet recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 30,091 users in 1990.
- How does France rank for number of people using the internet?
- France ranks 19th out of 207 countries with data for 2021.
- Is number of people using the internet rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is up 14.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this France data come from?
- The figures come from World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database - International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026); Population based on various sources (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in, published as part of Number of people using the Internet. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The number of individuals using the Internet.