Rural India Had 44% More Internet Users Than Urban Markets: Report

According to a recent study by data and market measurement firm Nielsen, rural India has a 20% greater presence of internet users than urban areas of the nation. As of December 2021, India has 646 million active internet users aged two and above.

According to the Bharat 2.0 Internet Study, about 60% of the rural population is still not actively utilizing the internet, giving space for additional growth. In contrast, urban India has a 59% penetration rate, with 294 million active internet users.

The study was based on surveys conducted across states from September 2021 to December 2021, which included 110,000 household members from 27,900 homes.

Furthermore, the number of active internet users aged 12 and up is 592 million. In comparison to 2019, the number of active internet users aged 12 and up increased by 37%. Rural growth of 45% continues to outpace urban growth of 28% in 2019. Female Internet users have increased by 61% during the last two years, while male users have increased by 24%. According to Nielsen, one in every three Indians actively uses the internet.

Nearly 90% of people use the internet every day. Those aged 50 and up are also engaged, with 81% accessing it every day. Mobile phones have continued to be the primary device for all internet consumption across industries.

“Availability of budget smartphones and affordable mobile data along with the Indian government’s efforts to strengthen the existing digital infrastructure through compelling initiatives such as Digital India and powered by one of the cheapest data prices in the world enabled by telecom companies, have led to enhanced and faster levels of internet adoption across the country", Dolly Jha, managing director, Nielsen India, said in a statement, adding that the study "demonstrates the importance of data prices in the world."

Important News and Blog Tags for Readers

India has 646 million active internet users aged two and above

Every three Indians actively use the internet

Female Internet users have increased by 61%

Cheapest data prices in the world

Internet consumption across industries

Bharat 2.0 Internet Study