Netizens projected to cross 500 mn by June: IAMAI

New Delhi [India], Feb 20 (ANI): The number of Internet users is expected to reach 500 million by June 2018, according to a report 'Internet in India 2017', published jointly by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Kantar IMRB, on Tuesday.

The number of Internet users in India was estimated to be 481 million in December 2017, a growth of 11.34 percent over December 2016 estimated figures.

As of December 2017, the overall Internet penetration is 35 percent of the total population.

According to the findings, urban India witnessed a growth of 9.66 percent from December 2016 and is presently estimated to have around 295 million Internet users as of December 2017.

On the other hand, rural India witnessed a growth of 14.11 percent from December 2016 and is presently estimated to have around 186 million Internet users as of December 2017.

Even though the growth rate of rural India seems higher, it is mainly due to the low base effect; given overall Internet users in rural India are still critically low.

Internet penetration in urban India was 64.84 percent in December 2017 as compared to 60.6 percent last December.

In comparison, rural Internet penetration has grown from 18 percent last December to 20.26 percent in December 2017.

Given that total urban population is much lower than total rural population, the urban-rural digital divide is actually more acute than what the penetration numbers portray.

The future growth policies, therefore, must focus on bridging the digital divide that exists between urban and rural India today.

In terms of numbers, urban India with an estimated population of 455 million already has 295 million using the Internet.

Rural India, with an estimated population of 918 million as per 2011 census, has only 186 million Internet users. Thus, there are potential 732 million users still in rural India; if only they can be reached out properly.

Frequency:

The report also finds that an estimated 281 million daily Internet users, out of which 182.9 million or 62 percent access Internet daily in an urban area, as compared to only 98 million users or 53 percent, in rural India.

Almost double the proportion of rural users access Internet less than once a month in rural India as compared to urban India.

Gender:

Internet user market is still a male preserve in India. There are estimated 143 million female Internet users overall, which is approximately 30 percent of total Internet users.

While "Digital India" is paving its way in rural India, the underlining digital gender gap still persists. Digital literacy is, therefore, a key to ensure everyone stays informed, engaged and safe online.

Among the rural Internet users, the ratio of male to female Internet users is 64:36.

The proportion of Internet users by gender in rural India has seen much change over last year with Internet users among rural females growing steadily. The increasing gender parity in Internet usage is a welcome development.

Demographics:

In terms of other parameters of demography, according to the report, the Internet is the preserve for youngsters, with students and youngsters accounting for around 60 percent of all Internet users in India.

The demographic profile and the purpose of usage are interlinked.

The popularity of entertainment, social networking makes the Internet more attractive for youngsters presently.

Unless digitalisation of important civic and social services as envisioned under e-governance programmes really take-off, the Internet will remain to be perceived as a medium of entertainment for youngsters, as per the report. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI