Global Internet Usage: Daily vs. “Almost Constant” Connection

A 2025 survey across 24 countries shows clear tiers of online behavior. A median 28% of adults say they are online “almost constantly,” 40% go online several times a day, and 9% do not use the internet at all. This split captures both the reach of the internet and its intensity: daily use is widespread, but constant connection remains concentrated among specific age groups and regions.

Daily users typically weave the internet into routine activities—checking email, sending messages, streaming entertainment—while constant users keep social platforms and messaging apps open throughout the day, engaging in frequent, short interactions. This “always-on” pattern drives higher background data consumption and longer logged-in times, distinguishing constant connectivity from general daily access.

Regional Contrasts in Constant Internet Use

Internet usage intensity varies sharply by country, reflecting infrastructure, affordability, and urbanization.

High-Intensity Leaders: Japan, Spain, South Korea

  • Japan: 85% of adults aged 18–34 report being online almost constantly; 38% of those 50+ do the same.
  • Spain: 70% among younger adults; 20% among older adults.
  • South Korea: 68% of younger adults; 32% of older adults.

Robust networks and affordable data underpin these high constant-connection rates, with urban environments amplifying heavy usage and background engagement.

Middle-Tier Countries: US, France, Argentina

  • United States: 61% of 18–34s vs. 22% of 50+.
  • France: 55% of younger adults vs. 8% of older adults.
  • Argentina: 59% of younger adults vs. 22% of older adults.

Here, baseline access is strong; the primary differentiator is age, not availability.

Lower-Intensity Contexts: Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa

  • Nigeria: 15% of younger adults vs. 4% of older adults.
  • Kenya: 15% of younger adults vs. 4% of older adults.
  • South Africa: 29% of younger adults vs. 6% of older adults.

Lower constant-use rates often mirror cost constraints and uneven infrastructure, especially outside major cities, despite rising connectivity.

Generational Divides: Who Is “Almost Always Online”?

Age is the clearest predictor of constant internet usage across all countries surveyed. Younger adults (18–34) are markedly more likely to report being online almost constantly than older adults (50+), with some of the largest gaps seen in:

  • Turkey: 64% (18–34) vs. 12% (50+) — 52-point gap.
  • Spain: 70% vs. 20% — 50-point gap.
  • Japan: 85% vs. 38% — 47-point gap.
  • France: 55% vs. 8% — 47-point gap.

For younger adults, continuous online engagement supports work, friendships, self-expression, and entertainment. Older adults tend to use the internet for specific tasks—news, finances, and family communication—regularly but less often in a background, always-on way.

Usage Intensity vs. Access: Why the Distinction Matters

  • Daily use indicates integration into routine life.
  • Constant use indicates the internet actively “running in the background,” with frequent micro-interactions and greater cumulative data consumption.

Understanding these modes helps policymakers, platforms, and businesses distinguish between penetration (who is online) and intensity (how often and in what patterns they participate).

Access, Networks, and Affordability: The Foundations of Constant Use

Countries reporting higher constant usage typically combine strong broadband and mobile networks with relatively affordable data. These conditions foster habitual, passive engagement—refreshing feeds, receiving notifications, and micro-messaging throughout the day—especially in urban environments. Where connectivity or cost remains a barrier, daily use rises faster than constant use.

Q&A

How many people use the internet daily?

About 40% of adults across 24 countries say they go online several times a day, a much larger group than those who describe themselves as “almost constantly” online.

Who uses the internet the most?

Younger adults (18–34) show the highest rates of constant internet usage across all surveyed countries, far outpacing older adults.

Is constant internet use the same as daily use?

No. Daily use is widespread and covers routine tasks; constant use implies the internet runs in the background with frequent, short interactions throughout the day, driving higher overall engagement and data usage.