According to a report released by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and KANTAR, the number of active internet users in India is expected to reach 900 million by 2025. This represents a significant increase from the current number of 759 million active internet users, which is already 52 percent of the country's population.
The report also revealed that rural India is playing a significant role in driving the growth of internet users in the country. Out of the 759 million active users, 399 million are from rural India, indicating a 14 percent increase in internet penetration in rural areas compared to 6 percent in urban areas in 2022. The report predicts that 56 percent of all new internet users in India by 2025 will come from rural areas.
Mobile phones remain the primary device for accessing the internet, with 100 percent of active users relying on them. However, the use of other devices has increased from 8 percent in 2021 to 13 percent in 2022. The most popular reasons for accessing the internet are digital entertainment, digital communications, and social media.
While 54 percent of all internet users are male, the report suggests that female users are gaining more access to the internet. In 2022, 57 percent of all new internet users were female, and it is projected that this percentage will increase to 65 percent by 2025.
The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has revolutionized digital payments in India, with 99 percent of all digital payment users utilizing UPI. Digital payments experienced a 13 percent growth in 2022 compared to 2021, with a user base of 338 million. Of these users, 36 percent are from rural India.
The report also reveals that internet penetration varies significantly among states, ranging from 70 percent in Goa to less than half of that in Bihar, at 32 percent.
TWN Conclusion
India is on track to reach 900 million active internet users by 2025, with rural India playing a significant role in driving the growth of internet usage. Mobile phones remain the primary device for accessing the internet, and female users are gaining more access. The UPI is widely used for digital payments, and internet penetration varies significantly among states.
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