Most Connected Countries
The internet has become a vital part of our day-to-day lives. Whether we use it for work, news, or pleasure, it’s something that we regularly rely on. It’s a great way of staying connected with current affairs and keeping in touch with friends and family all over the world.
The internet has also given us the opportunity to learn and embrace different cultures, even if it’s something as simple as using residential proxies to watch shows that aren’t available in your country.
That’s why we wanted to find out which countries are most committed to staying online. We’ve looked at internet costs, social media platforms, time spent on the internet, and more, to reveal the most connected countries in the world.
The most connected country in the world is the United Arab Emirates, with a connection score of 7.53/10
1. United Arab Emirates
7.53
Connected score /10
The United Arab Emirates is the most connected country in the world, with a connected score of 7.53/10. The UAE ranks highly in all but one of our categories. UAE has the highest percentage of its population connected to the internet and using Facebook. However, it’s also got the most expensive internet at just over $100.
2. Hong Kong
7.30
Connected score /10
In second place is Hong Kong with a connected score of 7.30/10. The administrative region of China is a great place to stay connected with the world. It has the highest number of mobile phone subscriptions, as well as really cheap internet. Hong Kong also has a high number of broadband subscriptions, as well as a high percentage of its population using the internet.
3. Malaysia
7.21
Connected score /10
Completing our top three is Malaysia with a connected score of 7.21/10. Almost 97% of Malaysia’s population are using the internet, and spend just over eight hours a day using it on average. Malaysia’s internet cost is reasonably cheap too at just over $25. Malaysians also use almost 8 social media platforms on average.
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Connected score out of 10
South Africans spend almost ten hours on the internet every day, more than any other country
It’s easy to lose track of time when on the internet, whether you’re watching a video or scrolling social media. That’s why we wanted to find out the country that spends the most amount of time on the internet every day.
1. South Africa
9H:38M
Daily internet usage
Spending an average of almost 10 hours on the internet is South Africa which takes the top spot. Despite spending the most time online, only 72% of South Africans use the internet, with less than half using Facebook. South Africa also has the second-fewest broadband subscriptions per 100 people with just under three.
2. Brazil
9H:32M
Daily internet usage
Brazil takes second place spending an average of 9 hours and 32 minutes on the internet. Brazil also has the second highest number of social media platforms with an average of 8.4 per person, joint with Indonesia. Facebook is popular in Brazil, with almost 65% of people using the social media platform.
3. Philippines
9H:14M
Daily internet usage
Completing our top three is the Philippines which spends an average of 9 hours and 14 minutes on the internet. The Philippines has the third highest number of social media platforms, with an average of 8.2. However, just 50% of the population in the Philippines uses the internet.
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South Korea has the best internet access with a score of 8.52/10, higher than any other country
Internet access is important for staying connected with the world. That’s why we’ve looked at time, cost, internet usage, and mobile phone and broadband subscriptions to see which countries have the best access to the internet.
1. South Korea
8.52
Internet access score /10
South Korea has the best internet access with an overall score of 8.52/10. South Korea scores highly across the board, with almost 98% of its population using the internet, which costs $21 on average. South Korea also has 140 mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people.
2. Hong Kong
7.90
Internet access score /10
Hong Kong takes second place with an internet score of 7.90/10. This region of China has the most mobile phone subscriptions, with an incredible 319 per 100 people. The average cost of the internet is also relatively cheap, at just under $23, with 93% of its population making the most of this.
3. Denmark
7.22
Internet access score /10
Completing our top three is Denmark with an internet access score of 7.22/10. The Scandinavian country has the third highest number of broadband subscriptions per 100 people with just under 45, as well as almost 99% of its population using the internet.
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Internet access score /10 |
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Methodology
We used DataReportal to get the time spent using the internet, as well as the average number of social media platforms used by different countries.
We then created our seeding list of countries using those that were included in both lists.
We took the internet costs from Numbeo.
We took Facebook users from World Population Review. Percentages are an estimate. UAE’s estimated percentage is over 100% as there are more Facebook users registered in the UAE than the population.
We took the broadband subscriptions, mobile cellular subscriptions, and percentage of the population using the internet from ITU.
We then put this data into a weighted table, giving each factor a normalized score out of 10, before taking an average of these scores to give an overall score out of 10 which we used to rank each country.
Russia was removed from the data.
United Arab Emirates is the social media capital of the world, with a score of 9.55/10, higher than any other country
Social media has become a huge part of our lives, Whether you scroll for news, comedy, or to see what your friends are up to. That’s why we’ve looked at the average number of social platforms, and the percentage of the population that uses Facebook in each country.
1. United Arab Emirates
9.55
Social media score
With an almost perfect score of 9.55/10, the United Arab Emirates takes the top spot as the social media capital of the world. People in the UAE have an average of 8.2 social media platforms, the third highest in the world, joint with the Philippines. UAE also has the highest percentage of people with Facebook at over 100%.
2. Malaysia/Philippines
8.75
Social media score
Second place is split between two countries, Malaysia and the Philippines, both with a score of 8.75. People in Malaysia have 7.7 social media platforms on average, which is less than the Philippines' total of 8.2. However, Malaysia has a higher percentage of people with Facebook, with 83%, compared to the Philippines, at 78%.
4. Saudi Arabia
8.41
Social media score
Completing an all Asian top three, is Saudi Arabia with a social media score of 8.41. People in Saudi Arabia have the fourth-highest average number of social media platforms, with just under eight. Saudi Arabia also has 71% of its population using Facebook.
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Social media score /10
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