There is no denying the fact that mobile web traffic has grown significantly over the years across the world. So much so, that mobile usage now accounts for more web traffic than desktop. In terms of the overall internet usage worldwide, mobile usage holds 55% while desktop usage holds 43%.
One of the main reasons for mobile internet usage to increase significantly to the extent of surpassing desktop internet usage is the first-time contact with users. In most developing countries, a mobile device is often the first technological point of access to the internet than a desktop.
And the reason is simple, price. Although desktop and laptop prices have decreased over the years, owning a mobile phone is much more affordable, especially for demographics belonging to the middle and low-income category.
In this insightful post, check out some of the most interesting mobile internet usage statistics we have compiled in structured and digestible ways.
What Percentage of Web Traffic Is Mobile? 2023 -2024
As of August 2023, mobile devices account for 65.67% of the total web traffic while desktop accounts for 32.89% which is not even half of the web traffic market share. Web traffic from tablets is at the lowest at around 1.44%.
Mobile web traffic has been on the rise for more than a decade. This is simply because the number of new mobile phone users is increasing every year all around the world, especially in developing countries.
Internet Usage Mobile vs. Desktop Over The Years
One of the most interesting mobile internet usage statistics to look at is to see the significant change in the traffic market share. We used StatCounter to compare the internet usage of mobile vs. desktop for the timeframe of the last 10 years.
The numbers are astounding. In 2013, the mobile share was at a mere 23.41%, while the desktop share was at 76.59%. Fast forward to 2023, mobile has surpassed desktop and holds a market share of 55.45% while the desktop share is at 44.55%
Market share in 2013: Mobile = 23.41% Desktop = 76.59%
Market share in 2014: Mobile = 34.03% Desktop = 65.97%
Market share in 2015: Mobile = 40.71% Desktop = 59.29%
Market share in 2016: Mobile = 52.9% Desktop = 47.1%
Market share in 2017: Mobile = 54.81% Desktop = 45.19%
Market share in 2018: Mobile = 50.97% Desktop = 49.03%
Market share in 2019: Mobile = 54.78% Desktop = 45.22%
Market share in 2020: Mobile = 57.34% Desktop = 42.66%
Market share in 2021: Mobile = 56.26% Desktop = 43.74%
Market share in 2022: Mobile = 61.52% Desktop = 38.48%
Market share in 2023: Mobile = 54.72% Desktop = 45.28%
From the numbers, it is evident that 2016 was a pivotal year for mobile web traffic as it surpassed desktop share during the last quarters of the year.
Mobile vs. Desktop Traffic Share of All Countries
It is interesting to note that more than 90% of the countries in the world have more than 50% of mobile traffic share in comparison to desktop traffic share. Here is the list of all the countries (listed alphabetically) and their percentage of web traffic on mobile, as of 2023.
Afghanistan has a mobile traffic share of 50.51% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 49.49%.
Albania has a mobile traffic share of 78.30% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 21.7%.
Algeria has a mobile traffic share of 79.50% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 20.5%.
Andorra has a mobile traffic share of 55.42% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 44.58%.
Angola has a mobile traffic share of 50.47% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 49.53%.
Argentina has a mobile traffic share of 45.21% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 54.79%.
Armenia has a mobile traffic share of 86.78% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 13.22%.
Australia has a mobile traffic share of 57.37% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 42.33%.
Austria has a mobile traffic share of 64.86% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 35.14%.
Azerbaijan has a mobile traffic share of 79.41% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 20.59%.
Bangladesh has a mobile traffic share of 72.07% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 27.93%.
Belarus has a mobile traffic share of 67.28% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 32.72%.
Belgium has a mobile traffic share of 55.76% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 44.24%.
Bolivia has a mobile traffic share of 68.24% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 31.76%.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has a mobile traffic share of 61.94% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 38.06%.
Brazil has a mobile traffic share of 64.17% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 35.83%.
Bulgaria has a mobile traffic share of 67.91% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 32.09%.
Cambodia has a mobile traffic share of 50.55% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 49.45%.
Canada has a mobile traffic share of 54.49% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 45.51%.
Chile has a mobile traffic share of 63.32% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 36.68%.
Colombia has a mobile traffic share of 63.09% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 36.91%.
Costa Rica has a mobile traffic share of 56.97% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 43.03%.
Croatia has a mobile traffic share of 78.16% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 21.84%.
Cuba has a mobile traffic share of 93.90% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 6.1%.
Czech Republic has a mobile traffic share of 55.59% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 44.41%.
Denmark has a mobile traffic share of 55.44% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 44.56%.
Ecuador has a mobile traffic share of 59.09% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 40.91%.
Egypt has a mobile traffic share of 74.31% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 25.69%.
Estonia has a mobile traffic share of 55.42% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 44.58%.
Ethiopia has a mobile traffic share of 79.29% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 20.71%.
Finland has a mobile traffic share of 59.86% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 40.14%.
France has a mobile traffic share of 65.86% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 34.14%.
Georgia has a mobile traffic share of 73.61% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 26.39%.
Germany has a mobile traffic share of 61.68% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 38.32%.
Ghana has a mobile traffic share of 81.34% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 18.66%.
Greece has a mobile traffic share of 70.50% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 29.5%.
Guatemala has a mobile traffic share of 50.37% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 49.63%.
Honduras has a mobile traffic share of 53.13% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 46.87%.
Hungary has a mobile traffic share of 62.43% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 37.57%.
Iceland has a mobile traffic share of 50.11% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 49.89%.
India has a mobile traffic share of 74.78% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 25.22%.
Indonesia has a mobile traffic share of 74.53% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 25.47%.
Iran has a mobile traffic share of 50.44% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 49.56%.
Iraq has a mobile traffic share of 83.64% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 16.36%.
Israel has a mobile traffic share of 60.70% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 39.3%.
Italy has a mobile traffic share of 72.13% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 27.87%.
Japan has a mobile traffic share of 76.14% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 23.86%.
Jordan has a mobile traffic share of 74.70% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 25.3%.
Kazakhstan has a mobile traffic share of 78.10% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 21.9%.
Kenya has a mobile traffic share of 86.86% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 13.14%.
Korea has a mobile traffic share of 63.43% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 36.57%
Kosovo has a mobile traffic share of 50.53% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 49.47%.
Kyrgyzstan has a mobile traffic share of 76.92% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 23.08%.
Laos has a mobile traffic share of 50.49% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 49.51%.
Latvia has a mobile traffic share of 56.64% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 43.36%.
Lebanon has a mobile traffic share of 50.25% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 49.75%.
Lithuania has a mobile traffic share of 71.05% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 28.95%.
Luxembourg has a mobile traffic share of 50.18% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 49.82%.
Malaysia has a mobile traffic share of 69.04% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 30.96%.
Malta has a mobile traffic share of 50.51% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 49.49%.
Mexico has a mobile traffic share of 69.56% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 30.44%.
Moldova has a mobile traffic share of 68.60% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 31.4%
Mongolia has a mobile traffic share of 65.51% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 34.49%.
Morocco has a mobile traffic share of 77.73% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 22.27%.
Nepal has a mobile traffic share of 63.67% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 36.33%.
The Netherlands has a mobile traffic share of 60.00% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 40.00%.
New Zealand has a mobile traffic share of 56.98% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 43.02%.
Nicaragua has a mobile traffic share of 50.30% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 49.7%.
Nigeria has a mobile traffic share of 86.51% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 13.49%.
North Macedonia has a mobile traffic share of 58.79% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 41.21%.
Norway has a mobile traffic share of 56.69% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 43.31%.
Oman has a mobile traffic share of 72.06% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 27.94%.
Pakistan has a mobile traffic share of 64.38% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 35.62%.
Panama has a mobile traffic share of 66.55% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 33.45%.
Paraguay has a mobile traffic share of 53.51% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 46.49%.
Peru has a mobile traffic share of 55.87% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 44.13%.
Philippines has a mobile traffic share of 58.92% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 41.08%.
Poland has a mobile traffic share of 63.52% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 36.48%.
Portugal has a mobile traffic share of 60.74% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 39.6%.
Qatar has a mobile traffic share of 50.34% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 49.66%.
Romania has a mobile traffic share of 75.12% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 24.8%.
Russia has a mobile traffic share of 50.49% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 49.51%.
Saudi Arabia has a mobile traffic share of 70.66% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 29.34%.
Serbia has a mobile traffic share of 73.59% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 26.41%.
Singapore has a mobile traffic share of 50.16% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 49.84%.
Slovakia has a mobile traffic share of 68.87% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 31.13%.
Slovenia has a mobile traffic share of 56.94% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 43.06%.
South Africa has a mobile traffic share of 79.80% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 20.2%.
Spain has a mobile traffic share of 72.62% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 27.38%.
Sri Lanka has a mobile traffic share of 64.90% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 35.1%.
Sweden has a mobile traffic share of 63.27% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 36.73%.
Switzerland has a mobile traffic share of 55.77% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 44.23%.
Taiwan has a mobile traffic share of 62.16% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 37.84%
Tanzania has a mobile traffic share of 88.74% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 11.26%.
Thailand has a mobile traffic share of 67.90% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 32.1%.
Tunisia has a mobile traffic share of 73.48% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 26.52%.
Turkey has a mobile traffic share of 71.65% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 28.35%.
Ukraine has a mobile traffic share of 65.83% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 34.17%.
United Arab Emirates has a mobile traffic share of 60.10% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 39.9%.
United Kingdom has a mobile traffic share of 67.30% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 32.7%.
United States has a mobile traffic share of 58.98% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 41.02%.
Uruguay has a mobile traffic share of 64.75% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 35.25%.
Uzbekistan has a mobile traffic share of 54.32% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 45.68%.
Venezuela has a mobile traffic share of 78.16% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 21.84%.
Vietnam has a mobile traffic share of 68.30% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 31.7%.
Yemen has a mobile traffic share of 50.47% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 49.53%.
Zambia has a mobile traffic share of 90.03% as of 2023. The country has a desktop traffic share of 9.97%.
Among all these countries, Argentina and Cambodia have less than 50% of mobile traffic share with 54.79% and 50.55% of respective desktop traffic share.
Mobile Browsing Stats: Most Popular Mobile Browsers in 2023
Under the mobile device segment, there is stiff competition between various browsers with respect to the types of mobile devices used. As of 2023, Google Chrome is the most popular browser as it has 58.16% which is the bulk of the percentage of web traffic on mobile.
Safari is the second most popular mobile browser in 2023, accounting for 35.49% of the total internet traffic share.
Other runners-up in the mobile browser market competition include the Samsung browser which has 4.02% of the total internet traffic share. Opera browser has 1.09% while other remaining browsers have 0.81% of the total internet traffic share.
Mobile Internet Usage Statistics for App Revenue
Mobile app revenue numbers are one of the most mobile browsing stats to look at. As of 2021, overall mobile ad spend reached $295 billion worldwide. Mobile app store spend also reached $170 billion in the same year. There were 230 billion new app downloads and the number of mobile apps with more than $100 million dollar spend was 223.
Mobile Website Statistics
Apart from apps like social media apps, websites receive a significant amount of traffic from mobile devices every day all around the world. As of quarter 1 of 2023, mobile devices accounted for 58.32% of the total internet traffic that websites received.
The number has significantly risen as website mobile traffic was at 55.79% during the first 1st quarter of 2022.
Mobile Device Statistics 2023: Android vs. iOS
Apart from the competition between mobile and desktop, there is also significant competition under the mobile segment between the two leading operating systems, including Android and iOS.
As of 2023, Android has the largest traffic market share as it accounts for 39.24% of the total internet usage worldwide. iOS, on the other hand, has an internet traffic market share of 15.82%.
Windows operating system has held its position between Android and iOS with a traffic market share of 30.87%.
Other operating systems in the mobile web traffic share include:
- OS X with a market share of 8.99%
- Chrome OS with a market share of 1.49%
Mobile Search Statistics: Insights from Mobile User Data
Considering the fact that mobile devices account for more than 50% of the total internet traffic share, a lot of interesting insights can be derived from the total mobile internet traffic worldwide.
As per Think with Google data of 2019, over 50% of mobile device Users found a company’s mobile site to be useful when shopping online.
Similarly, almost 63% of the users were more likely to purchase from companies via their mobile sites or apps.
Mobile Internet Usage Statistics of the US
Since the United States is one of the most proliferating markets for mobile devices, it is worth looking at the country’s mobile device statistics for 2023. Reviews.org, conducted a survey of Americans of all generations, including Gen Z, Millennials, Gen, X, and Boomers.
According to the survey, Gen Z is the generation with the highest number of phone upgrades. Almost 58.5% of Gen Z upgraded their phones from 2022 to 2023.
Also, Gen Z mobile users are the quickest to check their phone notifications. Almost 80.41% of Gen Z Americans are likely to check their phone notifications within 5 minutes.
Wrapping Up
The growth in mobile web traffic is not likely to stagnate anytime soon as the number of smartphone ownership and data spend grows consistently year over year. Ericsson predicts that by 2027, almost all mobile traffic will come from 5G with a decline of 4G traffic. Also, 5G, mobile web traffic is forecast to grow to 66% by 2028 globally.
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