Internet Adoption Statistics in Ireland (2026)
In 2024, 97.2% of the population in Ireland used the internet, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data. Up from 96.9% in 2023 to 97.2% in 2024 (+0.3 percentage points). Ireland ranks #9 of 51 economies in Europe & Central Asia on this measure, and #16 of 188 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 97.2% (2024)
- Internet Adoption in Ireland as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank World Development Indicators data.
- Change since 2023
- +0.3 pp (2024)
- Up from 96.9% in 2023 to 97.2% in 2024 (+0.3 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (1990)
- 0% (1990)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 0% in 1990 to 97.2% in 2024.
- Record high (2024)
- 97.2% (2024)
- The 2024 value is the highest in the available World Bank World Development Indicators series for Ireland.
- Rank in Europe & Central Asia
- #9 of 51 (2024)
- Ireland ranks 9 of 51 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #16 of 188 (2024)
- Ireland ranks 16 of 188 countries with data globally.
- Europe & Central Asia average
- 90.8% (2024)
- Ireland (97.2%) is above the average of 90.8% across the 51 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data.
- Projected 2026 value
- 99.5% (2026)
- Projection based on 7-year trend (CAGR 2.1%); not an official figure.
- Internet use in Ireland (2024)
- 97.2% (2024)
- 97.2% of the population in Ireland used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 5.4 million (2024)
- Ireland had a population of 5.4 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 1990–2024
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 97.2% | +0.3 pp |
| 2023 | 96.9% | +1.8 pp |
| 2022 | 95% | +1.5 pp |
| 2021 | 93.5% | +1.5 pp |
| 2020 | 92% | +5.0 pp |
| 2019 | 87% | −0.0 pp |
| 2018 | 87% | +2.9 pp |
| 2017 | 84.1% | +0.6 pp |
| 2016 | 83.5% | +0.0 pp |
| 2015 | 83.5% | +0.0 pp |
| 2014 | 83.5% | +5.2 pp |
| 2013 | 78.2% | +1.3 pp |
| 2012 | 76.9% | +2.0 pp |
| 2011 | 74.9% | +5.0 pp |
| 2010 | 69.8% | +2.5 pp |
| 2009 | 67.4% | +2.0 pp |
| 2008 | 65.3% | +4.2 pp |
| 2007 | 61.2% | +6.3 pp |
| 2006 | 54.8% | +13.2 pp |
| 2005 | 41.6% | +4.6 pp |
| 2004 | 37% | +2.7 pp |
| 2003 | 34.3% | +8.5 pp |
| 2002 | 25.9% | +2.7 pp |
| 2001 | 23.1% | +5.3 pp |
| 2000 | 17.9% | +7.0 pp |
| 1999 | 10.9% | +2.8 pp |
| 1998 | 8.1% | +4.0 pp |
| 1997 | 4.1% | +1.9 pp |
| 1996 | 2.2% | +1.1 pp |
| 1995 | 1.1% | +0.6 pp |
| 1994 | 0.6% | +0.3 pp |
| 1993 | 0.3% | +0.1 pp |
| 1992 | 0.2% | +0.1 pp |
| 1991 | 0.1% | +0.1 pp |
| 1990 | 0% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of people in Ireland used the internet?
97.2% of the population in Ireland used the internet in 2024, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data.
How does Ireland compare with other countries in Europe & Central Asia?
Ireland ranks 9 of 51 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data, with 97.2% versus a regional average of 90.8% (latest values per country).
Where does Ireland rank globally on internet adoption?
Ireland ranks 16 of 188 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank World Development Indicators value for each country.
What could internet adoption in Ireland look like in 2026?
A trend-based projection puts it at 99.5% in 2026. Projection based on 7-year trend (CAGR 2.1%); not an official figure.
How recent is the internet adoption data for Ireland?
The most recent observation is from 2024. World Bank World Development Indicators data is reported with a lag, so 2024 is the latest available year for Ireland.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, indicator
IT.NET.USER.ZS, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .