Share of the population using the Internet in South Korea
South Korea: Share of the population using the Internet was 97.9% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Share of the population using the Internet in South Korea, 1990–2024
Source: World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database - International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in % of population.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of the population using the internet in South Korea is 97.9%, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 35 years on record.
That represents a change of up 0.5% on the previous year and up 11.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the population using the internet in South Korea peaked at 97.9% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1990.
South Korea ranks 14th of 208 countries on this measure, 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 | 3.7% | 0.0% | 23.6% | 10 |
| 2000s | 69.2% | 44.7% | 81.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 89.4% | 83.7% | 96.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 97.3% | 96.5% | 97.9% | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
- 11 Iceland 98.2% compare
- 12 Qatar 98.1% compare
- 13 Malaysia 98.0% compare
- 15 Faroe Islands 97.6% compare
- 16 San Marino 97.4% compare
- 17 Switzerland 97.3% compare
More science & technology data for South Korea
- Scientific and technical journal articles 71,724 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 89.22 million (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 172.52 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 172.52 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 51,753 (2021)
- Patent applications, residents 186,245 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 4.9% (2023)
- Number of people using the Internet 50.59 million users (2021)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 47.8 per 100 people (2024)
- Landline Internet subscriptions 24.72 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of the population using the internet in South Korea?
- Share of the population using the internet in South Korea was 97.9% in 2024, according to World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database - International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of the population using the internet recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 97.9% in 2024.
- What is the lowest share of the population using the internet recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1990.
- How does South Korea rank for share of the population using the internet?
- South Korea ranks 14th out of 208 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of the population using the internet rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 11.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database - International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of the population using the Internet. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 35 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Share of the population who used the Internet in the last three months.