Fifth of global population online in 2011

The U.S., Western Europe, Canada and Japan all have mature online populations. Research predicts the proportionate decline in their shares of the overall online population as other nations' spending power and infrastructure development increases.

by Helen Leggatt

The global online population currently sits at around 1.1 billion users. JupiterResearch recently forecast that, in just four years time, that figure will have increased to nearer 1.5 billion, or 22 percent of the overall population of the world.

Not surprisingly, the U.S. and Western Europe will see their proportionate shares of the online population decrease, the report forecasting the U.S.’s share to fall from last year’s figure of 21 percent to around 17 percent in 2011.

In its report, "Worldwide Online Population Forecast, 2006 to 2011: Emerging Economies Catalyze Future Growth", JupiterResearch predicts that India and China, in particular, will fuel the growth, along with Brazil and Russia.

"The Internet has clearly changed the way we have done business in the past decade - and by all indications, it will serve as the centerpiece of what is to become a truly global economy," said David Schatsky, President of JupiterResearch.

"Recognizing where the most substantial growth is expected to take place could result in a tremendous opportunity."