Internet users ranking 1996 — the top 20 economies
The twenty largest economies by Individuals Using the Internet (% of Population) in 1996, ranked by the exact World Bank figures. The leader: Norway (18.3%). A total of 171 economies reported a value that year.
| # | Country | % of population (1996) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norway | 18.3% |
| 2 | Finland | 16.8% |
| 3 | United States | 16.4% |
| 4 | Bermuda | 16.2% |
| 5 | Iceland | 14.8% |
| 6 | Netherlands | 9.65% |
| 7 | Sweden | 9.04% |
| 8 | Singapore | 8.35% |
| 9 | New Zealand | 8.04% |
| 10 | Austria | 6.91% |
| 11 | Canada | 6.76% |
| 12 | Denmark | 5.71% |
| 13 | Luxembourg | 5.55% |
| 14 | Slovenia | 5.07% |
| 15 | Hong Kong SAR, China | 4.75% |
| 16 | Virgin Islands (U.S.) | 4.65% |
| 17 | Switzerland | 4.55% |
| 18 | Japan | 4.37% |
| 19 | United Kingdom | 4.12% |
| 20 | Estonia | 3.53% |
Where are they now?
The top five of 1996 and their rank in the latest published year:
| Country | Rank in 1996 | Rank today |
|---|---|---|
| Norway | #7 | #8 |
| Finland | #37 | #40 |
| United States | #29 | #31 |
| Bermuda | #8 | #9 |
| Iceland | #9 | #11 |
Other years
Frequently asked questions
Which country had the largest Internet users in 1996?
Norway, with 18.3% (% of population).
How many countries are included?
171 economies reported a value for IT.NET.USER.ZS in 1996. Coverage widens over time — earlier years include fewer reporting economies.