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Internet usage in the Nordics - Statistics & Facts

Countries in the Nordic region are usually among the leading markets by internet penetration rate. As of April 2023, Norway ranked first worldwide, along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, with an internet penetration rate of 99 percent. Furthermore, the share of Norwegians using the internet increased by almost one percent between 2020 and 2023. The corresponding figures for other Nordic countries have also seen a slight increase in the examined period. Among all countries in the region, Sweden’s online penetration rate was the lowest, around 90 percent, as of the latest measured period.

Internet connectivity

The term broadband internet is used for a type of online access that is always on and faster than traditional dial-up access. Due to the advanced infrastructure in urban and rural areas, Nordic countries have a high broadband penetration rate. In Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and Norway, the share of fast fixed-broadband subscriptions was at an estimated 100 percent as of 2023. With a little gap, Finland had a lower rate of fast fixed-broadband subscriptions.

Frequency of internet use

In the Nordic countries, not only the internet penetration rates are high, but the users also go online quite frequently – and this tendency is projected to increase even more in the coming years. In Sweden, the share of daily internet users increased from around 88 percent in 2018 to nearly 95 percent in 2022. In the latest examined year, only around one percent of the individuals stated going online less than once a week. The share of Danes who used the internet once a week was around 96 percent. This figure includes those who went online daily. Less frequent was internet usage among those living in Finland. As of 2022, approximately 92 percent stated going online daily. The daily internet usage rate in Norway was the highest across selected Nordic markets, over 96 percent.

Most performed online activities

Online banking was the most common activity for internet users in Finland and Norway, with 90 and 95 percent of the internet users in these markets stating it as the most common reason to go online. In Denmark, online banking was as popular as sending and receiving e-mail. In Sweden, however, almost seven in ten respondents said that they mainly used the internet to find information.

Social media usage

Across selected Nordic markets, more than 80 percent of internet users were active social media users. Norway reported having the highest monthly social media usage rate. As of 2023, the number of social media users in Iceland was around 320 thousand. In Sweden, social networks like Facebook and media sharing platforms like Snapchat or Instagram, as well as instant messengers, were the most used social media. Denmark and Norway displayed similar usage dynamics. In Finland, WhatsApp and Facebook were the leading platforms used several times daily. Among the most frequently performed activities on social media by Norwegians were sending private messages and liking posts by others.

Internet as an integral part of life

In Nordic markets, internet users were mainly happy about the quality of the mobile network coverage in their area. In Finland, mobile internet access in any place at any time was a priority, with 65 percent of the respondents stating that. Mobile connection was less important in Norway. Instead, 57 percent of Norwegians said they could no longer imagine their everyday life without the internet. Additionally, 37 percent of respondents in Sweden said they actively did something to protect their data online.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Ani Petrosyan, Feb 28, 2024

Key insights

Nordic country with the highest number of internet users
Sweden
Nordic country with the highest internet usage reach
Norway
Nordic country with the highest share of social media users
Norway
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