Proportion of individuals using the Internet in South Africa
South Africa: Proportion of individuals using the Internet was 78.4% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Proportion of individuals using the Internet in South Africa, 2000–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
In 2024, proportion of individuals using the internet in South Africa stood at 78.4%. That is the highest value across all 25 years on record.
The figure is up 0.1% on the previous year and up 60.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, proportion of individuals using the internet in South Africa peaked at 78.4% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 5.3%, in 2000.
South Africa ranks 110th of 205 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Proportion of individuals using the Internet in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 5.3% | — |
| 2001 | 6.3% | +18.9% |
| 2002 | 6.7% | +6.3% |
| 2003 | 7.0% | +4.5% |
| 2004 | 8.4% | +20.0% |
| 2005 | 7.5% | -10.7% |
| 2006 | 7.6% | +1.3% |
| 2007 | 8.1% | +6.6% |
| 2008 | 8.4% | +3.7% |
| 2009 | 10.0% | +19.0% |
| 2010 | 24.0% | +140.0% |
| 2011 | 34.0% | +41.7% |
| 2012 | 41.0% | +20.6% |
| 2013 | 46.5% | +13.4% |
| 2014 | 49.0% | +5.4% |
| 2015 | 51.9% | +5.9% |
| 2016 | 54.0% | +4.0% |
| 2017 | 56.2% | +4.1% |
| 2018 | 62.4% | +11.0% |
| 2019 | 69.7% | +11.7% |
| 2020 | 72.1% | +3.4% |
| 2021 | 75.0% | +4.0% |
| 2022 | 78.3% | +4.4% |
| 2023 | 78.3% | +0.0% |
| 2024 | 78.4% | +0.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 7.5% | 5.3% | 10.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 48.9% | 24.0% | 69.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 76.4% | 72.1% | 78.4% | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More science & technology data for South Africa
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 179.34 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.79 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0.0003 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 114.79 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 89.37 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 4.56 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 5.88 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 14,949 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0002 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is proportion of individuals using the internet in South Africa?
- Proportion of individuals using the internet in South Africa was 78.4% in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest proportion of individuals using the internet recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 78.4% in 2024.
- What is the lowest proportion of individuals using the internet recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.3% in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for proportion of individuals using the internet?
- South Africa ranks 110th out of 205 countries with data for 2024.
- Is proportion of individuals using the internet rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 60.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Proportion of individuals using the Internet (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 25 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).