Countries who use the Internet the least in 2026?

In 2026, internet usage around the world continues to grow, but access is still far from equal. While many countries enjoy near-universal connectivity, a few nations lag far behind due to infrastructure gaps, political restrictions, economic hardship, and geographic challenges.

In this article, we’ll explore:

• What “internet usage” and “internet penetration” really mean

•  Regional differences in global connectivity

• The countries with the lowest internet usage rates in 2026

• Key reasons why these countries have low access

• What is being done to close the global digital divide

Internet Usage vs. Internet Penetration: What’s the Difference?

Before we dive into the list of least-connected countries, it’s important to understand two closely related terms:

Internet Usage

This refers to how many people in a country actively use the internet — typically measured annually or monthly.

Internet Penetration

This indicates the share of a country’s total population that has access to the internet, regardless of how often they use it.

In 2026, global trends show that millions of people still lack meaningful access to the web — not because they don’t want it — but because they simply can’t access it due to infrastructure limitations or political restrictions.

Global Context: Progress and Challenges

By early 2026, more than 70 % of the world’s population is online, meaning internet usage has grown significantly over the last decade. However, this also means about 2.2 billion people remain offline — a stark reminder of persistent inequalities in digital access globally.

There are sharp contrasts in connectivity:

• Northern Europe, North America, and parts of East Asia now boast penetration rates above 90 %.

• Some regions in Africa and Central Asia lag far behind, with large portions of the population still offline.

• Some nations have near-zero public internet access because of tight censorship or government policies.

Let’s take a closer look at the countries where internet usage is lowest in 2026.

Top Countries With the Least Internet Usage in 2026

1. North Korea

Internet users: Almost none
Internet penetration: Less than 1 %

North Korea remains the world’s most isolated digital society. The government severely restricts access to the global internet — meaning that almost no everyday citizens can access online resources, social networks, or unrestricted information. Internet access is tightly controlled by state-authorized networks and is virtually inaccessible to the general population.

2. Central African Republic (CAR)

Internet penetration: Around 10 – 12 %

The Central African Republic (CAR) has one of the lowest percentages of internet users in the world. Only a small share of its population has access to reliable internet — largely due to ongoing infrastructure weaknesses, limited electricity, and economic challenges. Even where networks exist, they are often slow and expensive.

3. Burundi

Internet penetration: Close to 11 %

Burundi’s limited internet usage stems from poverty, lack of digital infrastructure, and a largely rural population that struggles with basic connectivity. Many communities still rely on radios or TV because internet costs are prohibitive and telecom networks are underdeveloped.

4. South Sudan

Internet penetration: Around 13 %

South Sudan is one of the world’s youngest countries and faces complex challenges, including conflict, economic instability, and poor infrastructure. These conditions make it difficult for ISPs to develop expansive networks, resulting in low internet access outside of major towns.

5. Chad

Internet penetration: ~13 %

Chad also appears near the bottom in terms of connectivity. Limited infrastructure, difficult geography, and economic constraints mean that rural populations especially struggle to get online. Mobile data and broadband services are concentrated in major cities, leaving many without reliable access.

6. Eritrea

Internet penetration: Very low (near zero in many estimates)

Eritrea is widely cited as one of the most digitally isolated countries in the world. Internet access is minimal, mobile data infrastructure is extremely limited, and government controls make it hard for citizens to access the web freely. This digital isolation affects education, economic opportunity, health services, and communication.

7. Ethiopia

Internet penetration: Low (under 30 %)

Ethiopia has struggled to expand internet access across its large population. While connectivity has improved in recent years, millions still remain offline due to cost, limited network coverage, and frequent restrictions on digital services.

Why These Countries Have Low Internet Usage

Understanding why these nations have the lowest internet usage in 2026 helps make sense of the broader digital divide:

1. Lack of Infrastructure

Most of the least-connected countries have weak telecom networks, limited fiber-optic coverage, and few mobile towers outside capitals or major cities. This means that people in rural areas often go without access entirely.

2. Affordability Barriers

Even where the internet exists, it may be financially inaccessible. High costs for data plans, devices, and electricity can keep people offline. In many low-income nations, paying for basic internet is a luxury rather than a staple.

3. Government Restrictions and Censorship

In countries like North Korea, government policy severely restricts internet access. Citizens are cut off from global information networks by law — a situation unlike anywhere else in the world.

4. Political Instability and Conflict

Wars, internal conflict, and political upheaval often damage infrastructure and disrupt telecommunications investment. South Sudan and parts of the CAR face these issues, lowering connectivity levels.

5. Geography and Population Spread

Countries with vast rural landscapes and sparse populations — combined with poor transport infrastructure — face higher costs for laying cables and setting up networks. This can slow internet development significantly.

The Digital Divide: What It Means

The “digital divide” refers to the gap between those who have access to digital technologies (like the internet) and those who don’t. In 2026:

• Many high-income countries enjoy >90 % internet penetration.

• Some low-income countries have <15 % access.

• Millions remain offline because of cost, infrastructure, education gaps, and policy barriers.

This divide isn’t just a technological issue — it affects education, economic opportunity, healthcare, political engagement, and even disaster response.

Examples of Countries Improving Internet Access

Despite significant gaps, many nations are working to expand access:

Kenya

Investment in 4G and fiber networks has increased internet adoption across urban and rural areas.

Rwanda

Rwanda’s government has pushed digital literacy and broadband expansion, boosting web access dramatically.

India

Although many Indians remain offline due to population size, broad infrastructure growth has connected hundreds of millions.

These positive cases show that with the right policies, public–private partnerships, and investment, even countries with low initial access can improve connectivity.

What the Future Could Hold

1. Satellite Internet Expansion

Technologies like satellite broadband (e.g., Starlink, Project Kuiper) have potential to reach remote areas previously ignored by traditional networks.

2. Falling Data Costs

As mobile data gets cheaper and devices become more affordable, millions more could come online.

3. Digital Literacy Programs

Training communities to use technology effectively can encourage sustainable online adoption.

4. Global Investment

International efforts — from governments, NGOs, and tech companies — are needed to bridge the digital gap in countries with the lowest access.

Where Internet Use Is Lowest in 2026

These countries represent some of the most extreme cases of digital exclusion in the world today — highlighting that internet access is still a privilege, not a global standard.

In a world where the internet plays an essential role in education, communication, work, and daily life, it’s important to understand where access is limited — and why.

By 2026, the gap between highly connected and poorly connected regions remains stark. But there is progress too: each year, millions more come online thanks to global efforts to improve digital infrastructure and affordability.

Understanding the countries with the least internet usage isn’t just an academic exercise — it’s a reminder of how technology still fails to reach everyone equally, and how critical inclusion is for building a more connected world.