South Africans are spending more time online than any other nation in the world, averaging over nine hours a day, according to new 2025 data on daily internet use.
- South Africans have the highest average daily online usage globally, exceeding nine hours per day according to 2025 data.
- This makes South Africa the leader in internet engagement in Africa and one of the top globally, with an adoption rate of 72%.
- Other African countries also rank prominently in internet usage, reflecting the continent’s growing digital penetration.
- The figures show a correlation between high internet adoption and increased online activity but highlight disparities in productivity outcomes.
A new global report reveals that South Africa has claimed the number one spot for daily time spent on the internet in 2025, with its citizens spending an average of over nine hours a day online.
Data from We Are Social and Data Reportal’s 2025 report highlights a striking trend: South Africans spend more time online daily than citizens in any other nation, averaging 9 hours and 37 minutes.
This places South Africa not only at the top of the African ranking but also the highest globally.
Following South Africa, other countries feature prominently in the top 10, with Brazil, the Philippines, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Malaysia, Russia, and the UAE rounding out the list.
This high online engagement reflects both the continent’s increasing digital penetration and the central role of the internet in South Africans’ daily lives.
South Africa’s leading position is partially reflective of high internet adoption, which currently stands at approximately 72% of the population, significantly higher than the continental average.
Countries like Nigeria, Egypt, and Kenya show comparatively lower adoption rates, which correlates with lower average daily internet use. The data suggests that while high adoption facilitates more time spent online, usage patterns are also influenced by lifestyle and cultural factors, including entertainment consumption, social media engagement, and remote work trends.
Internet Time, Productivity, and Regional Comparison
This report echoes a survey conducted in South Africa last year by mobile power bank provider, Adoozy which revealed how attached South Africans are to their phones.
According to the study, 92% of respondents said they could not go more than 24 hours without their device, while 64% admitted they would struggle to last even an hour.
Nearly 40% said they would rather endure traffic jams than part with their phones, and 16% said they would even choose a dental visit over giving them up.
“Young South Africans, in particular, get a lot of flak over how much time they spend on their phones,” said Adoozy CEO Kegan Peffer. “But people have fully embraced the extent to which a modern mobile phone can enhance and add value to their daily lives.”
He added that the devices also play a crucial role in safety: “In a country bedevilled by crime and violence against women, 72% of respondents said they have used their mobile phone to get out of a dangerous situation. That is a potentially life-saving benefit.”
While South Africans spend nearly 10 hours daily online, the global average sits closer to 6 hours, demonstrating the intensity of digital engagement on the continent. This prolonged online presence raises questions about productivity and lifestyle balance.
High internet usage can support economic activity particularly in digital services, fintech, and e-commerce, but may also reflect a higher engagement with entertainment and social platforms rather than work-related activities.
Comparatively, countries in Europe, such as Denmark, Norway, and Germany, show daily internet usage between 5 and 5.5 hours, yet consistently outperform African nations in productivity metrics like GDP per capita and workforce efficiency.
This contrast indicates that while South Africa and other top African internet users are digitally active, high engagement does not necessarily translate into higher productivity outputs. Moreover, nighttime internet usage contributes significantly to overall daily totals, often encroaching on rest periods, which may have indirect effects on workplace efficiency and overall well-being.
In sum, South Africa’s leading position in internet usage reflects the continent’s growing digital footprint. Yet, it also highlights the need for strategic digital policies that harness high engagement for economic growth while ensuring that the benefits of online connectivity translate into tangible productivity gains.
Other African nations can potentially follow South Africa’s model, but increased adoption must be coupled with digital literacy and balanced usage to optimize outcomes.
