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I think it's important to consider population, so maybe measure Internet penetration as a percentage of the population. For example: Internet Users in US: 230
by hoop 16y ago
I think it's important to consider population, so maybe measure Internet penetration as a percentage of the population.
For example:
Internet Users in US: 230,630,000
Population of US: 307,006,550 people
That's roughly 75% of the US population.
Internet Users in China: 298,000,000 people
Population of China: 1,324,655,000
That's roughly 22.5% of the Chinese population.
However, by looking at the graph, we can also see that the growth of the Internet population is growing (exponentially) at a much faster rate in China than it ever did in the US.
- tibbon 16y agoBingo. Isn't the magic number for hitting near 100% penetration of a household technology around 30%? Once you hit that point, then it will go to nearly 100% within a few years because things just snowball and it is no longer a fringe/geek thing, but something that is common and expected. I think we all remember when the US had far below 22.5%
- niekmaas 16y agoYou've got a great point there but let me add something. The question if percentages or absolute numbers are valuable depends on the goal of your investigation. When you want to determine the technological advancement of a country going for the relative numbers should be the way to go. However when you want to determine if a country should be a target market for your startup/company absolute numbers are fine. Even though only 22,5% of the Chinese people use the internet 298,000,000 users is still a huge market. Definitely to consider targeting.
- hoop 16y agoHi niekmass, You are absolutely correct. The goal of your investigation does in fact dictate if you should use percentages or absolute numbers. Likewise, 298 million Chinese Internet users is nothing to sneeze at!