Number of people using the Internet in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Number of people using the Internet was 65.09 million users in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Number of people using the Internet in United Kingdom, 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 United Kingdom is 65.09 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 20.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of people using the internet in United Kingdom peaked at 65.09 million users in 2021 and was at its lowest, 50,140 users, in 1990.
That places United Kingdom 17th 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 | 2.96 million users | 50,140 users | 12.53 million users | 10 |
| 2000s | 37.91 million users | 15.84 million users | 52.23 million users | 10 |
| 2010s | 58.62 million users | 53.56 million users | 62.45 million users | 10 |
| 2020s | 64.48 million users | 63.86 million users | 65.09 million users | 2 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More science & technology data for United Kingdom
- Scientific and technical journal articles 97,536 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 84.10 million (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 121.64 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 121.64 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 7,263 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 95.5% (2024)
- Patent applications, residents 11,592 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 2.7% (2023)
- Human resources in science and technology (HRST) by category and NUTS 21,623 (2019)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 42.16 per 100 people (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of people using the internet in United Kingdom?
- Number of people using the internet in United Kingdom was 65.09 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 United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 65.09 million users in 2021.
- What is the lowest number of people using the internet recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 50,140 users in 1990.
- How does United Kingdom rank for number of people using the internet?
- United Kingdom ranks 17th out of 207 countries with data for 2021.
- Is number of people using the internet rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 20.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom 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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 32 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The number of individuals using the Internet.