Internet users ranking 1998 — the top 20 economies
The twenty largest economies by Individuals Using the Internet (% of Population) in 1998, ranked by the exact World Bank figures. The leader: Iceland (36.3%). A total of 186 economies reported a value that year.
| # | Country | % of population (1998) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iceland | 36.3% |
| 2 | Sweden | 33.5% |
| 3 | Bermuda | 32.1% |
| 4 | New Zealand | 31.6% |
| 5 | Australia | 30.8% |
| 6 | United States | 30.1% |
| 7 | Finland | 25.5% |
| 8 | Canada | 24.9% |
| 9 | Switzerland | 24.8% |
| 10 | Denmark | 22.7% |
| 11 | Norway | 22.6% |
| 12 | Netherlands | 22.2% |
| 13 | Singapore | 19.6% |
| 14 | Austria | 15.4% |
| 15 | Greenland | 14.7% |
| 16 | Hong Kong SAR, China | 14.5% |
| 17 | United Kingdom | 13.7% |
| 18 | Japan | 13.4% |
| 19 | Luxembourg | 11.7% |
| 20 | Faroe Islands | 11.3% |
Where are they now?
The top five of 1998 and their rank in the latest published year:
| Country | Rank in 1998 | Rank today |
|---|---|---|
| Iceland | #9 | #11 |
| Sweden | #21 | #24 |
| Bermuda | #8 | #9 |
| New Zealand | #38 | #41 |
| Australia | #19 | #22 |
Other years
Frequently asked questions
Which country had the largest Internet users in 1998?
Iceland, with 36.3% (% of population).
How many countries are included?
186 economies reported a value for IT.NET.USER.ZS in 1998. Coverage widens over time — earlier years include fewer reporting economies.