Share of individuals using the internet in South Africa

South Africa: Share of individuals using the internet was 78.36 in 2024. β—† Volatile

Latest (2024)
78.36
Change on year
up 0.0%
World rank
112th
of 208 countries
All-time high
78.36
in 2024
All-time low
0
in 1990
Years of data
35
1990–2024

Share of individuals using the internet in South Africa, 1990–2024

0204060801990200720241990: 01991: 0.0131992: 0.0391993: 0.1141994: 0.2471995: 0.6771996: 0.8421997: 1.61998: 2.91999: 4.12000: 5.32001: 6.32002: 6.72003: 72004: 8.42005: 7.52006: 7.62007: 8.12008: 8.42009: 102010: 242011: 342012: 412013: 46.52014: 492015: 51.92016: 542017: 56.22018: 62.42019: 69.72020: 72.12021: 752022: 78.32023: 78.32024: 78.4

Source: Our World in Data.

Analysis

In 2024, share of individuals using the internet in South Africa stood at 78.36. That is the highest value across all 35 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 59.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, share of individuals using the internet in South Africa peaked at 78.36 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1990.

That places South Africa 112th out of 208 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 1.06 0 4.12 10
2000s 7.54 5.35 10 10
2010s 48.87 24 69.7 10
2020s 76.41 72.11 78.36 5

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 109 Belize 80.01 compare
  2. 110 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 79.7 compare
  3. 111 Colombia 79.35 compare
  4. 113 British Virgin Islands 77.7 compare
  5. 114 Algeria 77.42 compare
  6. 115 Republic of Moldova 77.37 compare

See the full ranking of 208 places β†’

More science & technology data for South Africa

All data for South Africa β†’

Frequently asked questions

What is share of individuals using the internet in South Africa?
Share of individuals using the internet in South Africa was 78.36 in 2024, according to Our World in Data.
What is the highest share of individuals using the internet recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 78.36 in 2024.
What is the lowest share of individuals using the internet recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1990.
How does South Africa rank for share of individuals using the internet?
South Africa ranks 112th out of 208 countries with data for 2024.
Is share of individuals using the internet rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 59.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Share of individuals using the internet. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Share of individuals using the internet in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Our World in Data. Retrieved 20 August 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/share-of-individuals-using-the-internet/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Share of individuals using the internet
Source
Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
208 places, 6,217 data points, 1990–2025
Last refreshed