Asia-Pacific internet use lower than global average

According to a new report by comScore, Internet use in the Asia-Pacific region is somewhat lower than the rest of the world.

by Helen Leggatt

comscore%20logo.gif The research, conducted in 10 countries across the Asia-Pacific region, found that 10 percent of the population aged 15 years and older accessed the Internet, either from home or work. Of that online population, amounting to around 284 million people, the average individual used the Internet 13.8 days during May, 2007, and spent 20.2 hours visiting 2,171 pages.

"We all know that the Asia-Pacific region is large and that Internet usage is growing rapidly," said Bob Ivins, executive vice president of comScore. "What is fascinating about this study is that it allows us to compare Internet usage across countries using a consistent measurement methodology and to then determine where PC-based Internet engagement is most developed."

The global monthly averages for Internet usage are 17.1 days a month with 25.2 hours spent visiting 2,519 pages, according to the report, which forms part of comScore’s World Metrix study.

The country with the most active online population during the month of May, 2007, was South Korea with each individual, on average, using the Internet 17.4 days and spending 31.2 hours visiting 4,546 pages.

In terms of online population South Korea also came out on top with 65 percent closely followed by Australia with 62 percent and New Zealand with 60 percent. China and India were last on the list with 9 percent and 3 percent, respectively.

comScore recently opened its first Asia-Pacific customer service office, comScore Japan KK, in Tokyo.