Proportion of individuals using the Internet (%) in Southern Africa
Southern Africa: Proportion of individuals using the Internet (%) was 77.2% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Proportion of individuals using the Internet in Southern Africa, 2005–2025
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2025, proportion of individuals using the internet in Southern Africa stood at 77.2%. That is the highest value across all 21 years on record.
That represents a change of up 1.6% on the previous year and up 56.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, proportion of individuals using the internet in Southern Africa peaked at 77.2% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 7.0%, in 2005.
Southern Africa ranks 22nd of 37 groups 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 Southern Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 7.0% | — |
| 2006 | 7.2% | +2.9% |
| 2007 | 7.6% | +5.6% |
| 2008 | 8.1% | +6.6% |
| 2009 | 9.5% | +17.3% |
| 2010 | 22.0% | +131.6% |
| 2011 | 31.1% | +41.4% |
| 2012 | 37.7% | +21.2% |
| 2013 | 43.3% | +14.9% |
| 2014 | 46.0% | +6.2% |
| 2015 | 49.2% | +7.0% |
| 2016 | 51.5% | +4.7% |
| 2017 | 54.1% | +5.0% |
| 2018 | 60.0% | +10.9% |
| 2019 | 66.9% | +11.5% |
| 2020 | 69.5% | +3.9% |
| 2021 | 72.4% | +4.2% |
| 2022 | 75.6% | +4.4% |
| 2023 | 75.9% | +0.4% |
| 2024 | 76.0% | +0.1% |
| 2025 | 77.2% | +1.6% |
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Proportion of individuals using the Internet (%) in Southern Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | +131.6% | 9.5% | 22.0% |
| 2011 | +41.4% | 22.0% | 31.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 7.9% | 7.0% | 9.5% | 5 |
| 2010s | 46.2% | 22.0% | 66.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 74.4% | 69.5% | 77.2% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Southern Africa
- 19 Switzerland 97.3% compare
- 20 Aruba 97.2% compare
- 20 Ireland 97.2% compare
- 22 Netherlands (Kingdom of the) 97.0% compare
- 23 Brunei Darussalam 96.3% compare
- 23 Brunei 96.3% compare
- 25 Australia 96.1% compare
More science & technology data for Southern Africa
- Proportion of population covered by at least a 2G mobile network 99.8% (2025)
- Proportion of population covered by at least a 3G mobile network 99.3% (2025)
- Proportion of population covered by at least a 4G mobile network 98.7% (2025)
- Proportion of individuals who own a mobile telephone, by sex 86.3% (2024)
- Proportion of adults (15 years and older) with an account at a 79.4% (2024)
- Proportion of population covered by at least a 5G mobile network 58.2% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is proportion of individuals using the internet in Southern Africa?
- Proportion of individuals using the internet in Southern Africa was 77.2% in 2025, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest proportion of individuals using the internet recorded in Southern Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 77.2% in 2025.
- What is the lowest proportion of individuals using the internet recorded in Southern Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.0% in 2005.
- How does Southern Africa rank for proportion of individuals using the internet?
- Southern Africa ranks 22nd out of 37 groups with data for 2025.
- Is proportion of individuals using the internet rising or falling in Southern Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 56.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Southern 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 — 21 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).