Internet Usage In Belarus: Adult Access Rates Explored

Belarus has a population of 9.44 million people as of January 2022. The country's internet penetration rate stood at 85.1% at the start of 2022, with 8.03 million internet users. This means that 1.41 million people in Belarus did not use the internet at the start of 2022, with 14.9% of the population remaining offline.

According to a 2006 survey of 1,500 adults, a third of Belarusians use the internet—38% of the urban population and 16% of the rural population.

In 2022, 89.51% of Belarus's population used the internet

Belarus has a well-developed information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, and access to the internet has increased in recent years. The government has sought to foster economic growth and garner international prestige by promoting the ICT sector. Official statistics show that almost 86.9% of the population was online by the end of 2021.

The country maintains high fixed and mobile broadband penetration rates. By the end of 2021, the number of users accessing the internet via these connections reached 3.2 and 9.1 million, respectively, out of the country's total population of approximately 9.4 million.

According to 2021 data from the ITU, Belarus had a fixed broadband penetration rate of 33.8% and a mobile broadband penetration rate of 94.5%. As of May 2022, the median mobile broadband download speed was 10.1 Megabits per second (Mbps), and the median fixed broadband download speed was 47.9 Mbps.

The use of the internet in Belarus is predominantly urban, with 60% of users living in the capital, Minsk.

In 2023, there were 151 internet users per 1000 people in Belarus

The internet penetration rate in Belarus was 85.1% at the start of 2022, with 8.03 million internet users in the country. This figure reveals that 1.41 million people in Belarus did not use the internet at the start of 2022, meaning that 14.9% of the population remained offline at the beginning of the year.

The number of internet users in Belarus has been increasing over the years, with the country's internet penetration rate reaching almost 86.9% at the end of 2021. This increase in internet usage can be attributed to the country's well-developed information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, as well as the government's efforts to foster economic growth and international prestige by promoting the ICT sector.

The availability and use of electronic devices and services, such as computers and mobile phones, have contributed to the growing number of internet users in Belarus. The country has also seen an increase in the number of social media users, with 4.35 million social media users in the country as of January 2022.

In 2022, Belarus's internet penetration rate was 85.1%

Belarus's total population in January 2022 was 9.44 million, with 80.3% living in urban centres and 19.7% in rural areas. The median age of the population was 40.8.

In terms of internet connection speeds, the median mobile internet connection speed via cellular networks in Belarus was 10.33 Mbps at the start of 2022. The median fixed internet connection speed was 48.39 Mbps.

The number of social media users in Belarus in January 2022 was 4.35 million, equivalent to 46.1% of the total population.

In 2022, 14.9% of Belarus's population did not use the internet

Belarus's internet penetration rate stood at 85.1% at the start of 2022. This means that 14.9% of the population did not use the internet at the beginning of the year. However, it is important to note that issues related to COVID-19 may have impacted these figures, and the actual number of internet users could be higher.

Internet Usage in Belarus

The internet penetration rate in Belarus has been increasing over the years. In 2021, almost 86.9% of the population was online, according to official statistics. This is a significant increase from previous years. For example, a 2006 survey found that only a third of Belarusians used the internet, with 38% of the urban population and 16% of the rural population connected.

Factors Affecting Internet Usage

Several factors may influence internet usage in Belarus. One factor is geographic location, with nearly 89.9% of urban residents being internet users, compared to 76.9% of rural residents. Additionally, there are digital inequalities based on age, with only about 36.9% of the population aged 65 or older using the internet as of 2020. Gender is also a factor, with more Belarusian women than men online.

Internet Freedom and Access

While internet usage has been increasing in Belarus, there are concerns about internet freedom and access. The government has been accused of blocking independent media outlets, foreign news sites, and materials deemed "extremist." There have also been reports of the government arresting and prosecuting journalists, bloggers, and ordinary internet users for their online activities.

Furthermore, the cost of internet access may be a factor for some individuals. While internet access in Belarus remains affordable, the ITU found that the cost of mobile data and fixed broadband as a percentage of GNI per capita was higher in Belarus compared to other countries.

In 2022, 46.1% of Belarus's population used social media

Belarus's population in 2022 was 9.44 million, with 53.4% of the population being female and 46.6% male. The median age of the population was 40.8.

Internet Use in Belarus

Belarus's internet penetration rate stood at 85.1% of the total population at the start of 2022. This equates to 8.03 million internet users.

Social Media Usage

There were 4.35 million social media users in Belarus in January 2022. This figure suggests that 46.1% of the total population used social media. This is a notable increase from 2021, where there were 3.9 million social media users, equating to 41% of the population.

Social Media Platforms

Facebook

Facebook had 706,100 users in Belarus in early 2022. This was equivalent to 7.5% of the total population. However, as Facebook restricts its platform to people aged 13 and above, it is worth noting that 8.8% of the "eligible" population in Belarus uses Facebook.

Instagram

Instagram had 3.7 million users in Belarus in early 2022. This figure suggests that 39.2% of the total population uses Instagram. However, as Instagram restricts its platform to people aged 13 and above, it is worth noting that 46.3% of the "eligible" population in Belarus uses Instagram.

TikTok

TikTok had 3.08 million users aged 18 and above in Belarus in early 2022. This was equivalent to 41% of all adults aged 18 and above in Belarus.

Twitter

Twitter had 187,400 users in Belarus in early 2022. This figure means that Twitter's ad reach in Belarus was equivalent to 2% of the total population. However, as Twitter restricts its platform to people aged 13 and above, it is worth noting that 2.3% of the "eligible" population in Belarus uses Twitter.

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