Russia’s Internet population is on steroids
Written on 27th August 2008
11 COMMENTS 
Ernst-Jan Pfauth, editor in chief
Russia has the fastest growing Internet population in Europe, research by ComScore shows. The study about the online behavior of European Internet audiences (based on data from the comScore World Metrix audience measurement service) learns us that the Russian Internet population has grown with 27 percent past year up to 17.5 million visitors.
The total number of European Internet users grew with 8 percent during the past year to 241.8 million visitors in June 2008. Next to Russia, countries like France (up 21 percent to 31.5 million visitors), Spain (up 15 percent to 16.2 million visitors), and Ireland (up 15 percent to 1.6 million visitors) also see the Internet becoming a more important part of their society.
See all the interesting stats in the press release. Here are some more highlights:
- Internet adoption was highest in the Netherlands, where 82 percent of the country’s total population age 15 and older went online in June.
- U.K. Internet users spent the greatest amount of time online, averaging 28.5 hours per user per month, while German Internet users recorded the most page views, averaging 2,906 pages per visitor.
Oh Russia
I could fill this blog with exciting news from Russia. Whether it concerns search giant Yandex, the iPhone launch, or dodgy oligarchs buying web stocks, the country’s Internet industry never ceases to amaze me.
What makes the country extra interesting, are the contradictions. While Russia has the fastest-growing Internet audience in Europe, it ranked near the bottom in terms of penetration and page views. Two conclusions can be drawn here: Russia still has a long way to go before they’ve bridged the digital divide and the Russian Internet market will become incredibly important when it has reached its full potential.
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By Haas on Aug 27, 2008
How many russias can read Englisch?
And 82% ?? that 18% are they blind or mentally handicapted.
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Haas, first of all the things you’ve written above is not English.
Thanks for the post.
- – -
reshila
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By Timo Paloheimo on Aug 27, 2008
According to a Study released this Monday by Statistics Finland, in Finland the internet adoption is 83%. The comScore report says it would be 69%. That’s quite a difference. So I wouldn’t put too much emphasis on comScore’s results.
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By Ben on Aug 27, 2008
Normally I wouldn’t want to waste words nitpicking spelling, but:
“the country’s Internet industry doesn’t seize to amaze me.”
this really doesn’t do the intent justice.
1. The verb is: cease.
1. The idiom is: never ceases to amaze me.
Both are point 1 on purpose ;-)
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By Ben on Aug 27, 2008
Good quick fix :)
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thanks for pointing it out! Please keep that up.
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You’re a good sport.
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By Bojimha on Aug 28, 2008
Russia is not in the EU and geographically most of it is in Asia so I’m confused by this!
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it’s not in the European Union, but it is part of Europe. From Wikipedia:
] It extends across the whole of northern Asia and 40% of Europe,
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By ideali on Aug 29, 2008
Ernst-Jan, these guys learn to leave comments in blogs, but they don’t know geography and can’t understand the importance of using Wiki before telling something about the country they know nothing.
From Russia with love,
Решила (Reshila).
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Well my Russian friend Reshila could you please elaborate and tell me then? I wasn’t being awkward or finnicky on purpose. I arrive on this site with good will, and I’m not a fan of internet squabbling of pettiness.
How do they have the fastest growing internet population in Europe? Seriously, I would like to be able to understand this as it has me confused!
Is this “fastest growing population” only referring to the 40% that covers Europe or does it include people from the other 60% of Russia. If it takes it from the whole of Russia including the part which is not over northern Europe then really the statement is a bit misleading, don’t you agree?
I’m not trying to be an idiot, it is a legitimate question so no need for any attempts to try and belittle me.
Peace and love from the UK!
-Bojimha
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