Approximately eight billion people live on the planet.
As of April 2023, it’s estimated that 5.18 billion of them are online (that’s around 70% of the population), and 4.8 billion are social media users.
That’s a significant amount of the world online every day.
The beauty of the internet is that all of these people can contact each other, the internet removes most boundaries.
Naturally, humanity interferes and certain countries restrict access to specific content.
But, the potential for everyone to meet and chat online is there.
The question is, what percentage of internet traffic is mobile?
It’s worth noting that in 2020 only 60% of the global population had internet access.
There are two things that have made the leap in internet access possible.
The first is advancements in mobile phones. Smartphones are now more powerful than many computers.
They have more processing power and, with mobile-friendly web pages, can make surfing the internet faster and easier from anywhere, and at any time.
The second factor is the global pandemic. Lockdowns and restrictions forced many people online.
While this may initially have been via desktops, the convenience and practicality of mobile devices means that many people have switched what device they use.
In short, mobile internet access has increased dramatically in the last few years and is likely to continue doing so.
Key Statistics
- In excess of 55% of traffic is from mobile devices
- 92.3% of internet users sometimes access the web via a mobile
- Mobile internet traffic is highest in Africa with 69.3% of users
- By 2025 over 1 billion people will be connected via 5 g
- The most common use for a mobile device is to play games
- 2016 was the first year mobile internet access exceeded desktop access
- 57.01% of US users utilize apple safari
- 76% of US citizens open & respond to emails on a mobile while watching TV
- As of 2019 there were 3.262 billion apps on the app store
- In 2018 adults spend 203 minutes a day on mobile devices
What Percentage Of Internet Traffic Is Mobile
1. In Excess Of 55% Of Traffic Is From Mobile devices
In the first quarter of 2015 the proportion of internet visits via a mobile sat at 31.16%.
In other words, approximately one-third of people access the internet via their mobile device.
Fast forward a few years and, in 2023, 56.96% of internet access comes via a mobile device.
That’s an increase of approximately 75%. There are several reasons why this is the case, such as convenience and improved phone technology.
However, the global pandemic has also played a significant part.
Many people were used to accessing the internet daily via the desktop at the office.
With that no longer an option mobile access became the default and access levels increased.
(Statista)
2. 92.3% Of Internet Users Sometimes Access The Web Via A Mobile
Accessing the internet via a mobile doesn’t mean that is the only way you do it.
Equally, accessing via a desktop doesn’t mean you can’t access the internet via a mobile.
In fact, the majority of people do both. In a recent survey, 92.3% of those asked admitted to accessing the web via a mobile at least once in the last week.
Many of those that admitted it also used desktops to access the internet, often for work or educational reasons.
It’s interesting to note that 12.7% of people admit to accessing the internet via a games console and 15.4% use a smart home device.
(Exploding topics)
3. Mobile Internet Traffic Is Highest In Africa With 69.3% Of Users
There is little doubt mobiles have become the major technology of the 21st century.
The technology has improved dramatically in recent years.
Thanks to the arrival of 5G and satellite internet, like Starlink, it’s possible to access the internet anywhere, without the need for expensive infrastructure.
This has led to a major increase in mobile internet access, especially in poorer countries. It’s part of the reason that Africa has the highest volume of mobile internet traffic.
As much as 69.3% of African internet use is via mobile devices.
Asia follows closely behind and South America tops Europe and North America.
However, the place that has the least internet access by mobile is Oceania, with just 39.51% of users going online this way.
(Statista)
4. By 2025 Over 1 Billion People Will Be Connected Via 5G
5G was first rolled out in the US in 2019, everyone else has been slowly catching up.
In fact, current predictions suggest over one billion people will be connected via 5G by 2025.
China is where the most growth will occur. In some ways this isn’t surprising.
There are 1.4 billion people living in China, that’s the largest population in the world. It’s over four times the size of the US population.
In the future it is believed that China will have three times more 5G connections than any other individual country.
Thanks to their massive population size, the total number of connections in one country will be higher than the totals of the US, France, Canada, the UK, Germany, and South Korea combined!
By 2025 there will be 866 million 5G connections in China and the US will have 247 million.
(Statista)
5. The Most Common Use For A Mobile Device Is To Play Games
Smartphones generally come with several games incorporated into their software.
However, there are thousands more online that can be quickly downloaded.
Some require mobile internet to play, others don’t.
Regardless of whether the game needs the internet or not, it has proved to be the most common use for a mobile device.
68% of people use their smartphones to play games.
It’s closely followed by 67% of people using them for entertainment.
While 63% use their phone for social media, just 20% use it to control smart devices.
(Explodingtopics)
6. 2016 Was The First Year Mobile Internet Access Exceeded Desktop Access
Prior to 2016 more people accessed the internet via desktop computers than mobile devices.
In 2016, mobile usage exceeded desktop for the first time, just. 50.7% of internet access was via a mobile.
By 2018, this rate had gone up to 52.2%, and by 2020 it had reached 53.62%.
The rate is continuing to rise and is unlikely to stop. After all, can you imagine not being able to access the internet whenever you want?
That, combined with the convenience of mobile devices is why the desktop computer is destined to ultimately vanish.
With AI and voice technology, there soon won’t be any reason to type, and, therefore, no reason to choose a desktop over a smartphone.
(Statista)
7. 57.01% Of US Users Utilize Apple Safari
There are roughly 125 million iPhone users in the US. It’s the most popular choice of phone.
Unsurprisingly, people with these phones that need to access the internet will use a browser compatible with Apple.
The majority of these users will choose Apple Safari.
That’s why 57.01% of all US mobile users choose Safari and only 3.6.78% choose Google Chrome.
(statcounter)
8. 76% Of US Citizens Open & Respond To Emails On A Mobile While Watching TV
This is a concerning fact. While humans are surprisingly good at multitasking, the fact that 76% of US citizens feel the need to check and respond to emails while watching Tv illustrates people are unable to switch off.
The statistics don’t tell us whether the emails were social or work-related.
However, watching TV should be considered downtime and an opportunity to ignore your phone.
If the emails are work-related then you have an issue with switching off which could mean you are unnecessarily stressed.
As stress has been linked with a number of diseases, you may want to start cutting down on the time you’re available online.
As with all things in life, balance is the answer.
(Statista)
9. As Of 2019 There Were 3.262 Billion Apps On The App Store
The internet has been in existence for almost fifty years. Of course, it only started taking over within the last ten to fifteen.
Just fourteen years ago, in 2009, there were 65,000 apps available when you logged onto the App Store.
That’s a significant amount. However, it’s nothing compared to now.
By 2019 there were 3.262 billion apps on the App Store.
In short, you wouldn’t have enough time in your lifetime to download and test them all.
To help put this in perspective, with over 5 billion internet users there were 218 billion apps downloaded across the globe in 2021.
That’s significantly less than the number available on the web.
The winners were the App Store which generated $46.6 billion from app sales, and Google Play, which generated $24.8 billion.
(Statista)
10. In 2018 Adults Spend 203 Minutes A Day On Mobile Devices
203 minutes is nearly three-and-a-half hours a day.
The survey didn’t disclose how much of this time was work-related, research, and simply amusement or socializing.
However, consider what you could do with that much time every day.
You should also note that in 2012, the average person spent just 88 minutes on a mobile device per day.
That’s still a significant amount of time, but if it continues at this rate, the average person will spend all day on the internet by 2030.
The increase is understandable. The world is increasingly digital, being connected via the internet is essential for individuals and businesses.
It’s also the best way to find out any information.
The only thing you should be asking yourself is when is how much time you want to spend online.
(Statista)
Mobile Internet & The Future
Mobile phone subscriptions have increased every year since 1993.
There have been periods when ownership levels have increased dramatically and times when it grows much slower.
In 1996 there were just 100 million mobile phone subscriptions. In 2019 there were 8 billion.
Growth may be slower but the inevitable outcome is more mobile phone subscriptions as people across the planet refresh their phones and even come online for the first time.
The internet isn’t disappearing anytime soon and social media channels are increasingly popular.
That means mobile phone subscriptions and use to access the internet will continue to grow.
Summing Up
The question of what percentage of internet traffic is mobile doesn’t have a static answer.
The latest figures place it in excess of 55% but this figure is rising and will continue to do so.
Perhaps the more relevant question is how long before all internet traffic comes via a mobile device?
It seems like this is the ultimate end game.
Of course, by the time everyone switches to mobile internet smartphones may not look anything like they do today.
Just take a look at the best phones from ten years ago and compare them to today’s smartphones.
They barely look like the sample device.