Galt Global Review

QFS 360

 

World Facts

January 20, 2004

The Face of the Web
By Esme Friesen

Back in October 2002, I noted that many developed countries still had “a lot of building to do on their information highways”. Well some, it seems, have been busy expanding their “on-ramps”.

As the Web continues to grow as a marketing media format for an increasing number of businesses world wide, a recent look at Ipsos-Reid’s “Face of the Web” report has shown many of the previously lagging industrialized nations have in fact being laying the groundwork required to keep up-to-speed.

The most significant increase between October 2002 and January 2004 occurred in Mexico and the UK, where there were 12 per cent and an 11 per cent respective increases in those having ever tried the Internet.

Japan saw an increase of eight per cent and Urban China tied the USA at seven percent. Next to follow is France, with a six per cent increase, and Germany and Urban Brazil with a five per cent increase. In Russia the percentage of those having tried the Internet rose by three per cent, and in Canada the number actually dropped by one per cent.

For those not mentioned, no change was indicated.

% Ever Tried the Internet

% Past 30 Day Internet Users

Estimated Trial Population
Estimated Past 30 Day User Population
Canada
72%
62%
16,200
14,200
Sweden
73%
65%
4,295
3,800
U.S.A
79%
72%
149,000
135,800
Norway
69%
60%
2,200
1,900
Denmark
68%
58%
2,700
2,300
Netherlands
64%
57%
7,528
6,700
Australia
63%
54%
8,415
7,200
UK
57%
50%
24,500
21,500
France
50%
37%
20,500
15,200
Japan
51%
47%
43,400
40,000
Germany
48%
43%
31,300
28,100
Israel
40%
33%
1,300
1,100
Mexico
51%
37%
7,500
5,500
Saudi Arabia
34%
27%
1,326
1,000
Urban China
35%
30%
5,200
4,500
Urban Brazil
31%
24%
7,600
5,900
Urban Egypt
20%
17%
1,359
1,200
Urban India
12%
9%
1,744
1,300
South Africa
11%
6%
992
500
Russia
13%
8%
8,900
5,500
    Source: Ipsos Reid, January 20, 2004