8 charts on internet use around the world as countries grapple with COVID-19

People in the United States and around the world are turning to the internet to do their work and stay connected with others as the COVID-19 outbreak forces people to stay home and away from the office and crowds. A median of 77% across 34 countries use the internet at least occasionally or own an internet-enabled smartphone, according to a spring 2019 Pew Research Center survey. But there are stark digital divides. Younger people, those with higher incomes and those in wealthier countries are more likely to be digital technology users. Many people surveyed also use social media, but social media usage is not ubiquitous, even in economically advanced nations like Germany and Japan. Here are eight charts on digital connectivity worldwide.

1. In 32 of the 34 countries surveyed, more than half of people report using the internet at least occasionally or owning a smartphone.
2. In each of the 34 countries surveyed, younger people are more likely than older people to say they use the internet.
3. Whether people use the internet varies widely by level of education 
4. Across all publics surveyed, people with incomes higher than the national median are more likely to report using the internet than those with lower incomes. 
5. Majorities in each of the 34 countries surveyed own a mobile phone. 
6. There is a strong relationship between smartphone ownership and per capita gross domestic product. 
7. While social media use falls below general internet use in 30 of 34 countries surveyed, a majority in most countries say they use some form of social media.
8. There are wide gaps in social media use between the youngest and oldest age groups.