The number of consumers who use smartphones across the world is expected to grow up to 1.76 billion people, according to eMarketer. This means up more than 25% over 2013, year when around 1.4 billion people used smartphones daily. This firm also confirms that by 2018, this number will rise to 2.76 billion people, 36.5% of the world’s population. But, what are the top countries with most smartphones uses in the world?
The United Arab Emirates currently host the title of world leader in using smartphones, nearly 74% of its population. Specifically, among all the people aged 16-34 81% own smartphones, and penetration is also rising among other age groups as well.
Asia-Pacific countries also lead the list with a total of 951 million users: South Korea currently holds the head the list in this part of the globe, with two-thirds of of its population (using smartphones). Australia remains sixth on this list, since it was the only nation where more than a half of its population used smartphones in 2013. Even though China is one of the most technological countries in the world, it is not on the top of the list; the number of smartphones users hardly ever exceeds half the population, with 521.7 million people this year. But it is expected to head the list by 2018. And regarding Japan, more than a half of the population are using these devices this year.
With respect to the US, the second-largest smartphone market in the world behind China, smartphone penetration will cross the 50% mark this year. ; Canada will overcome it the next one.
As for Europe, Norway is ranked fifth in this worlwide list, with 67.5% It is followed by Sweden and The United Kingdow, with 62.9% and 62.2, respectively. Denmark stands in tenth position (59.0%) and Irleand in eleventh position (57.0%). Spain is at the bottom of the list, with 55.4% of the population using smartphones.
Smartphone users by age
Source: districthealth.co.uk
As we have seen, smartphone penetration has been very significant worldwide. However, taking into account the age, there are several differences between groups (this data is from 2013).
Teenagers-adults aged between 16 and 24 are the group with the highest rate, 88%. Second position has been taken up by the age group of 25-34 (85%). This figure drops to 70% among 34-44-year olds and continues to decrease to 30% (adults aged 55-64), all the way down to 11% for those aged 65 and older.
This data is different compared to that of 2010, when the group which headed the smartphone users list was the one aged between 25 and 34; but rates have almost always had the same tendency: older people are always the users with the lowest percentage.
Computer users by age
Source: ons.gov.uk
It is true that population use smartphones more than computers for navigating. However, computer use has also high rates and the group aged 16-24 continues to be the one with the highest percentage (87%). This is followed by the group aged 25-34 (84%), 35-44 (80%), 45-54(77%), 55-64 (67%), 65+ (38%). Since 2006, the number of computer users has increased considerably, but the growth has been directly proportional to every group. As we can see in the figure, the percentage of user in 2006 was 43%, and in 2013 was almost double (70%).
Monthly data usage by age
There is no doubt that teenagers aged 13-18 are the social group which consumes more mobile data. On average, they use 320 MB of data per month, increasing almost 256 percent over past years. Regarding the sex, boys take in about 382 MB per month and girls used 266 MB. This fact is based on the use they make (of it): whether they use internet connection on mobile to check social media or just uploading photos and selfies to social networks.
The age 19-30 ranks second on this list and the 50-65+ social group uses less mobile data monthly.
