Internet usage in Turkey - statistics & facts
In 1993, the first internet connection was established in Turkey. Since then, it has become a part of every aspect of Turkish people's lives, helping them to connect locally and globally and allowing them to find and share information. Reaching over 68 million internet users as of 2022, Turkey ranks 15th among all countries with its constantly increasing digital population.
Since the popularity of smartphones increased, the internet has also become more accessible for many individuals. Thus, mobile internet user penetration increased consistently over the years, reaching roughly 82 percent as of 2023. This development also reflected positively on the internet usage frequency among Turkish people. According to a nationwide survey conducted in 2022, approximately 83 percent of internet users went online regularly.
In 2023, the main reason to go online for the majority of Turkish people was to connect with others via messaging, calling, or social networks. According to the results of a Statista Global Consumer Survey conducted in 2023, 61 percent of the respondents stated that they could not imagine their life without the internet. Consequently, the internet has become indispensable and embedded in the daily routine of many Turkish people. And it undoubtedly will continue to alter the way of communication, interaction, working, and acquiring knowledge in society.
Internet accessibility
Over the past decade, the internet has become a mainstream communication tool for the vast majority of the Turkish population. Accordingly, the share of households having broadband internet connection consistently went up, measuring 92 percent in 2021. In the same year, the part of the population who used the internet on a daily basis reached 80 percent.Since the popularity of smartphones increased, the internet has also become more accessible for many individuals. Thus, mobile internet user penetration increased consistently over the years, reaching roughly 82 percent as of 2023. This development also reflected positively on the internet usage frequency among Turkish people. According to a nationwide survey conducted in 2022, approximately 83 percent of internet users went online regularly.
User demographics and behavior
In recent years, the youth who belonged to the age group of 25-34 and 16-24 made up the most active digital population in Turkey. When it comes to gender distribution, women’s use of the internet fell behind men’s every year in the country. In 2023, the share of female internet users reached slightly over 83 percent, while the proportion of men equaled about 91 percent.In 2023, the main reason to go online for the majority of Turkish people was to connect with others via messaging, calling, or social networks. According to the results of a Statista Global Consumer Survey conducted in 2023, 61 percent of the respondents stated that they could not imagine their life without the internet. Consequently, the internet has become indispensable and embedded in the daily routine of many Turkish people. And it undoubtedly will continue to alter the way of communication, interaction, working, and acquiring knowledge in society.
