VPNs are widely used today for protecting sensitive data to accessing geo-restricted content. When it comes to VPN usage statistics, there aren’t many definitive sets to look at. But some commonly cited figures provide insight into who is most likely to use VPNs.
VPNs are a growing trend, and it doesn’t look like it will stop. This may be due in part to the fact that VPNs can be used to bypass geo-restrictions on platforms such as Netflix and YouTube.
We found some exciting things during our study of VPN usage. Let’s get to it.
Key VPN statistics for 2024
- The majority of VPN users are between the ages of 16 and 24.
- 62% of VPN users are men, and 38% are women.
- VPNs are commonly used in countries with restricted internet access or government censorship, such as China, Russia, UAE, Belarus, Turkey, Iran, Syria, and Oman.
- VPN search volume increased by two times during the time of COVID-19.
- 50% of people use VPNs for security reasons. 26% of them use it to access blocked content.
- The VPN industry will be valued at $44 Billion in 2024.
- VPN’s market cap is estimated to increase to over $77 billion by 2026.
- 80% of internet users are concerned about their online security.
Comprehensive VPN statistics of 2024
Here are intriguing stats on VPN in 2024.
1. 1.2 billion internet users will use VPNs worldwide
(Source: Surfshark VPN)
As the world becomes increasingly digitized, so does the need for VPNs.
VPNs allow users to access a private network, usually over the internet securely. This will enable them to protect their data and privacy and bypass government censorship and restrictions.
VPNs have become increasingly popular recently as concerns about online privacy and security continue to grow.
VPN search volume doubled during the times of COVID-19 in 2019 and 2020.
These VPN usage statistics show how people in restricted countries have become concerned about censorship and surveillance.
It is estimated that nearly 1.2 billion internet users will use VPNs worldwide in 2024. This is around 23% of the total internet users globally.
There is no doubt that VPN usage is on the rise worldwide. This is mainly because there is increasing internet censorship in many countries.
More and more people are becoming aware of their internet freedom rights. They are looking for ways to get around censored content.
In addition, the pandemic caused many people to turn to VPNs to unblock censored content. VPNs allow users to access blocked websites and stream content from anywhere.
As a result, the VPN market has seen a significant uptick in recent years.
2. 50% of people use VPNs for security reasons, while 26% of them use them to access blocked content
(Source: Security, Surfshark)
There are several reasons why someone might choose to use a VPN. Here are the top reasons why people use VPNs.
- Security
Nearly 50% of all VPN users use it for general online security.
With hackers and scammers constantly developing new ways to steal personal information, many see it essential to take steps to protect themselves.
VPNs are often used by businesses to protect confidential data. But they are also increasingly used by individuals for personal security and privacy.
People who use a VPN can ensure they are safe from identity theft from hackers in public Wi-Fi networks and private web servers.
- Privacy
40% of VPN users also cite privacy as their primary concern for using a VPN.
VPNs have become increasingly popular as big corporations sell user data for targeted ads.
- Streaming
26% of people use VPNs for streaming content from other countries.
This is because many streaming services, such as Netflix and Hulu, only offer their content in certain regions.
- Work & other reasons
9% of VPN users use VPN for business and work-related activities. Businesses and work employees use VPNs to secure their data transmission.
3. Belarus, North Korea, Iraq, Oman, and Turkmenistan are among the countries where the use of VPNs is banned
(Source: CyberGhost, Surfshark, Wired)
In recent years, more and more countries have been cracking down on the use of virtual private networks. VPNs are a popular way to circumvent internet censorship and access blocked websites.
VPNs can also be used for illegal activities such as piracy and data theft. As a result, several countries have restricted or outright banned VPN use.
Belarus, North Korea, Iraq, Oman, and Turkmenistan are among the countries where VPNs are banned.
China, Iran, Russia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Uganda, Bahrain, Cuba, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, and Thailand have all placed restrictions on VPN use.
In some cases, these restrictions are relatively minor and only block certain types of VPN traffic. However, other cases can be much more severe and may involve outlawing VPN use altogether.
Anyone relying on a VPN for their day-to-day online activity must be aware of the laws in your country before using a VPN. Otherwise, you could face stiff penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment.
Recently, the Indian government has required VPNs to collect data from its users and store it for five years. All VPN providers have been given two months to implement this. This has created a lot of uproars among privacy-conscious users in India.
Related info: Read our Dbd guide on Is VPN Illegal in UAE & Dubai? to know the legality of VPN in UAE.
4. Asia Pacific has the most VPN users
(Source: Statista, Global Web Index)
Asia Pacific has the most VPN users worldwide, with China and India leading the way.
China and India alone have over 1.5 billion of the world’s internet users. That’s a staggering figure, and it’s no surprise that the Asia Pacific region has the most VPN users.
When evaluating VPN statistics by region, 55% of Indonesia’s population uses VPN services. The Indonesian government has placed strict controls on the internet, so VPNs are the only way to access many international websites and social media platforms.
6. 8 in 10 people worry about their online privacy
(Source: Panda Security)
With over 80% of people worrying about their internet privacy, it is no surprise that VPNs have become increasingly popular recently.
People use VPNs to guard their data and protect themselves from potential security risks.
Furthermore, the rising demand for VPN services is due to multiple factors, such as heightened worries around personal safety and confidentiality, an increased number of nations prohibiting the usage of these services, and the ever-increasing popularity of streaming platforms across different parts of the world.
7. 62% of VPN users are men
(Source: Global Web Index)
62% percent of VPN users are men. This is likely because men are more likely than women to use the internet for gaming, streaming, and downloading purposes.
In both business and non-professional usage, men are more likely to use a VPN than women. This fact was the same for all age groups.
VPNs are popular among young adults aged 18-24. It is because this age group is more likely to be engaged in online activities that require a higher level of internet privacy.
Those activities include online banking, gaming, shopping, etc.
8. 52% of VPN users use iOS platform, whereas 37% of them use Android devices
(Source: Security)
Mobile users are far more likely to use VPNs than their desktop counterparts.
Over 50% of VPN users use it on iPhone, and 37% use it on Android.
By contrast, only 6% of Windows users and 3% of Mac users reported using a VPN.
It’s not surprising that mobile users are more likely to use VPNs since they are much more convenient than other devices.
9. India is the biggest VPN market, with over 48% of internet users using VPN
(Source: Atlas VPN)
It is estimated that around 48% of internet users in India use a VPN. This is the biggest VPN market in the world by user count.
Similarly, 61% of internet users in the United Arab Emirates, 53% in Qatar, and 35% in Oman use VPNs.
UAE, Qatar, Singapore, and Indonesia are among the countries with the highest percentage of internet users using VPNs. This is likely because these countries have high levels of internet censorship.
In the UAE, for example, the government blocks access to many popular websites and social media platforms. VPNs are the only way to access these sites.
10. Cost, Slow speeds, and No privacy concerns are the major factors people don’t use VPN
(Source: Numbeo)
VPNs are typically associated with increased security and privacy. But there are reasons why some people still choose not to use a VPN.
- Cost
In many cases, VPNs come with a monthly fee, which can add up over time, mainly if multiple devices are being used. For example, the average VPN price is around $10 per month, while the average internet price in the USA is $67 per month.
In countries where internet access is cheaper than VPN, such as India ($9 per month) and Romania ($8-9 per month), the added cost of a VPN can be too much.
- Slow speeds
VPNs can sometimes slow down internet speeds. It can be frustrating for users trying to stream videos or download large files. For some people, the potential benefits of using a VPN are not worth the hassle.
- No privacy concern
Some individuals aren’t worried about privacy. For them, the risk of being hacked or tracked online might seem low.
11. 21 million VPN user’s data was being sold on the dark web
(Source: Spiceworks)
In 2021, there was a leak of user data belonging to lesser-known free VPNs. GeckoVPN, SuperVPN, and ChatVPN were the VPNs whose 21 million user’s data was being sold on the dark web.
After this incident, people have questioned the functionality of free VPNs even more. But this isn’t the only time something like that has happened to free VPNs.
Super VPN, Fast VPN, Rabbit VPN, Secure VPN, Flash VPN, FREE VPN, and UFO VPN were involved in a massive leak. All these VPNs sell used logs despite claiming on their website that they don’t.
Even though VPNs are designed to increase security and privacy, there have been high-profile data breaches involving major VPN providers.
These data breaches are more common among free VPNs, which tend to have less robust security measures. Even some paid VPNs have been breached.
But if you choose the right VPN with a good history of providing private internet access, you will find them very useful. Here are some steps you can take to choose and use a secure VPN service:
- Choose a reputable VPN company with a good track record.
- Choose a free VPN with clear data privacy laws if you don’t want to pay for a VPN service.
- Read customers’ reviews.
- Avoid free VPNs, which are more likely to have security flaws.
- Make sure the VPN uses strong encryption, such as AES-256.
- Choose a VPN with a kill switch, preventing your device from connecting to the internet if the virtual private network connection is lost.
- Use a VPN with a strict no-logs policy, so your data is not tracked or stored.
The Global VPN market will be worth $92 billion by 2027
(Source: Surfshark VPN, Statista)
The VPN market is growing rapidly as more and more people become conscious of their right to free, uncensored internet. A VPN (a virtual private network) allows users to browse the internet anonymously and securely without worrying about government surveillance or data theft.
The market is different in each part of the world depending on the level of online freedom and censorship. For example, in China, where the government heavily censors the internet, there is a growing demand for VPNs.
According to a recent report, more than 1 billion active VPN users will be worldwide in 2024.
Here is the latest Global VPN market trend you should be aware of.
- VPN market capitalization
The global VPN market is worth more than $44 billion at the end of 2022 and will rise to $92 billion by 2027. Increased internet censorship, data privacy concerns, and the need for online security drive this growth.
Several factors are driving this rapid growth.
Those factors include the increasing use of public Wi-Fi, the spread of internet censorship, and the heightened need for cybersecurity.
As the world becomes increasingly connected, it is clear that the demand for VPNs will only continue to increase.
- Future trends
The VPN market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
As mentioned earlier, the VPN market is expected to be worth $92 billion by 2027.
The increasing use of mobile devices will grow VPN usage even further. More people are using their phones and tablets to access the internet and need a way to protect their data with VPN software.
The popularity of streaming services like Netflix and Hulu is also driving growth in VPN usage. These services are blocked in many countries, and people are becoming VPN users to bypass these restrictions.
Final thoughts
VPNs have become a vital tool for internet users living in countries with restricted access or government censorship.
These VPN usage statistics show how VPN users in regional countries have become concerned about censorship.
Global VPN usage allows them to safely and securely access all parts of the web without fear of surveillance or censorship.
Looking forward, it is likely that VPNs will continue to become an increasingly important tool for online privacy and security.
As cybercrime and government surveillance continues to grow, VPNs will play an even more vital role in protecting our digital data. VPNs keep the internet open and accessible for all.
The younger generation looks pretty eager to adopt VPNs as they seek to protect their privacy and right to information.
What do you think about these VPN statistics? Do you believe VPNs will become even more popular in the coming years?
Share your thoughts on social media along with this Dbd stats page. We greatly appreciate your support!
Sources
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About the author
Christopher Brooks
Christopher Brooks is a computer and information researcher with a passion for advancing digital technologies. He holds a Master's Degree in Computer Science from MIT and has been applying his knowledge to further the fields of cyber security, consumer electronics, artificial intelligence, data science, and more. In his free time, Christopher enjoys biking and hiking.
Andrew Chavez is a passionate technology researcher and MSc graduate from Texas A&M University. He has a broad range of knowledge on current tech developments, new discoveries in the field of high-tech and science, as well as software engineering proficiency. With an insatiable appetite for learning and discovering, Andrew strives to bridge the gap between academia and industry. His ambition drives him to make meaningful contributions to the tech world continuously.
