Mobile Web Usage: What Percentage of Internet Traffic is Mobile?
We are currently experiencing a mobile revolution, with smartphones becoming ubiquitous and enabling people to access the internet from virtually anywhere. This raises an important question: what percentage of internet traffic today comes from mobile devices?
Whether you’re a business owner looking to optimize your outreach or simply curious about the current state of mobile versus desktop usage, this information is crucial.
Internet Usage on Mobile vs Desktop: Latest Statistics
Since 2016, mobile devices have surpassed desktop computers in terms of global internet traffic. The convenience of mobile browsing, allowing users to go online quickly and from any location, has made it the preferred choice for many.
What Percentage of Internet Traffic Comes from Mobile Devices?
As of the latest data, 58.21% of global internet traffic originates from mobile devices. In comparison, desktops account for 39.76%, while tablets make up the remaining 2.03%.
Mobile internet traffic peaked in July 2022, reaching 60.73%, with desktops contributing 37% during that period.
Mobile Internet Traffic Trends Over the Years
The shift from desktop to mobile has been significant over the past decade. Below is a year-by-year breakdown of the market share for desktop, mobile, and tablet internet usage:
| Year | Desktop (%) | Mobile (%) | Tablet (%) |
| 2013 | 79.18 | 16.24 | 4.59 |
| 2014 | 66.57 | 27.14 | 6.29 |
| 2015 | 59.17 | 35.10 | 5.73 |
| 2016 | 51.37 | 43.59 | 5.04 |
| 2017 | 43.75 | 51.56 | 4.69 |
| 2018 | 45.11 | 50.88 | 4.02 |
| 2019 | 46.04 | 50.39 | 3.57 |
| 2020 | 45.64 | 51.61 | 2.75 |
| 2021 | 42.31 | 55.01 | 2.69 |
| 2022 | 39.43 | 58.32 | 2.25 |
| 2023 | 42.88 | 55.19 | 1.94 |
| 2024 | 39.41 | 58.54 | 2.05 |
Mobile Traffic by Country
| Country | Tablet (%) | Mobile (%) | Desktop (%) |
| US | 2.7% | 43.1% | 54.3% |
| UK | 4.1% | 46.4% | 49.5% |
| Australia | 3.9% | 42% | 54.1% |
| Brazil | 0.6% | 53.3% | 46.1% |
| Canada | 3.6% | 40.6% | 55.9% |
| China | 1.8% | 62.8% | 35.4% |
| France | 2.4% | 48.1% | 49.6% |
| Germany | 2.3% | 46.3% | 51.5% |
| India | 0.5% | 78.6% | 21% |
| Japan | 2.1% | 36.6% | 61.3% |
| Nigeria | 0.5% | 86.2% | 13.3% |
| Singapore | 2.6% | 60.2% | 37.2% |
Mobile Traffic by Continent
| Continent | Tablet (%) | Mobile (%) | Desktop (%) |
| Africa | 1.1% | 73.2% | 25.8% |
| Asia | 1.8% | 68.1% | 30.1% |
| Europe | 2.2% | 51.3% | 46.5% |
| North America | 2.7% | 53% | 44.3% |
| Oceania | 3.8% | 53.6% | 42.5% |
| South America | 0.7% | 55.3% | 44% |
Mobile Internet Usage by Region
Mobile internet usage varies significantly across different regions. Here’s a closer look at how it breaks down:
Mobile Internet Traffic in the United States
In the U.S., mobile devices account for 43.09% of total web traffic, while desktops lead with 54.25%. Tablets contribute 2.66%.
Trends in the U.S. (2013–2024):
| Year | Desktop (%) | Mobile (%) | Tablet (%) |
| 2013 | 79.79 | 13.68 | 6.53 |
| 2014 | 67.89 | 23.19 | 8.93 |
| 2015 | 64.67 | 26.44 | 8.89 |
| 2016 | 60.61 | 30.94 | 8.44 |
| 2017 | 51.10 | 40.09 | 8.80 |
| 2018 | 51.20 | 40.82 | 7.97 |
| 2019 | 48.45 | 44.47 | 7.08 |
| 2020 | 47.84 | 47.82 | 4.34 |
| 2021 | 48.88 | 47.57 | 3.56 |
| 2022 | 46.43 | 50.52 | 3.05 |
| 2023 | 62.21 | 35.73 | 2.07 |
| 2024 | 54.25 | 43.09 | 2.66 |
Mobile Traffic by Continent
The share of mobile internet users varies by continent, with developing countries showing higher mobile usage compared to Western nations. For instance, Africa has the highest mobile internet usage, while Oceania has the lowest.
Key Takeaways on Mobile vs Desktop Traffic
- Developing countries tend to have a higher percentage of mobile users, while Western countries (North America, Europe, and Oceania) lean more toward desktop usage.
- Africa leads in mobile internet usage, while Oceania has the lowest share.
- Sudan has the highest mobile traffic market share at 83.92%, while Japan favors desktops with a 61.30% market share.
- Countries like Canada, Australia, Germany, and the U.S. show a preference for desktops, with mobile usage ranging between 40-45%.
General Statistics on Mobile Web Usage
- 64.4% of the global population can access the internet via mobile phones.
- Countries with the highest mobile internet penetration rates (99%) include Ireland, Norway, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
- The U.S. has a 91.8% mobile internet penetration rate, while the U.K. and Singapore stand at 97.8% and 96.9%, respectively.
- The global average mobile download speed is 41.54 Mbps, with the UAE leading at 178.25 Mbps and Cuba lagging at 3.44 Mbps.
- In the U.S., 63% of search traffic comes from mobile devices, and 15% of adults rely solely on mobile phones for internet access.
Mobile App vs Mobile Browser Usage
- Chrome dominates the mobile browser market with a 64.86% share, followed by Safari (24.86%) and Samsung Internet (4.49%).
- Users spend nearly 90% of their mobile time on apps.
- Countries like Indonesia, Singapore, and Australia rank highest in app usage, with over 5 hours spent daily on apps.
- Shopping apps account for more than 100 billion hours of usage annually, with apps generally having a 157% higher conversion rate than mobile websites.
Final Thoughts
The past decade has seen a dramatic rise in mobile internet usage, with smartphones becoming the primary device for many users worldwide.
While mobile dominates in many regions, desktops remain significant in countries like the U.S. and Japan. As mobile internet speeds improve and devices become more advanced, the trend toward mobile is expected to grow further.
For businesses with an online presence, adapting to this shift is essential. Developing a mobile app can be a strategic move to better engage mobile users.
While creating a native app can be costly, solutions like Mindjumpers offer a cost-effective way to convert existing websites into mobile apps, enabling businesses to tap into the growing mobile market.
