Internet Access in United Kingdom: 1800 to Today (and Tomorrow)
Updated October 2026 · ⬇ download this dataset (CSV) · methodology
In the 2020s, internet access in United Kingdom stands at 95 % — ranking #9 of 157 countries. In 1900 it was 0 %. (Source: ITU / World Bank, compiled by MYRIAD)
The lives of individuals in the United Kingdom have undergone a profound transformation, as internet access has become an integral part of daily reality. In 1900 it was 0 %, a stark contrast to the 95 % of today, which ranks #9 of 157 countries. This shift has redefined how people communicate, work, and inhabit the modern world.
The historical record reveals a gradual transformation, with internet access standing at 0 % for nearly two centuries, before changing trajectory in the 1990s with 13.78 % and 2000s with 27.56 %, and then accelerating to 61.28 % in the 2010s. The pace of change has been relentless, with the 2020s seeing 95 % internet access, and projections suggesting continued growth to 98 % in the 2030s, before leveling off at 99 % from the 2040s onwards.
As you navigate this digital era, your daily existence is shaped by a connectedness that was unknown to previous generations. The United Kingdom's story is one of rapid transformation, with internet access becoming ubiquitous. To explore how your life fits into the broader trends and patterns, compute your own parallel lives on MYRIAD.
🇬🇧 Share of people using the internet. For United Kingdom, the story across three centuries is below — every value is a statistical fact about the lives actually lived there.
Decade by decade
| Decade | Internet Access (%) |
|---|---|
| 1800s estimate | 0 |
| 1810s estimate | 0 |
| 1820s estimate | 0 |
| 1830s estimate | 0 |
| 1840s estimate | 0 |
| 1850s estimate | 0 |
| 1860s estimate | 0 |
| 1870s estimate | 0 |
| 1880s estimate | 0 |
| 1890s estimate | 0 |
| 1900s estimate | 0 |
| 1910s estimate | 0 |
| 1920s estimate | 0 |
| 1930s estimate | 0 |
| 1940s estimate | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 13.78 |
| 2000s | 27.56 |
| 2010s | 61.28 |
| 2020s | 95 |
| 2030s projection | 98 |
| 2040s projection | 99 |
| 2050s projection | 99 |
| 2060s projection | 99 |
| 2070s projection | 99 |
| 2080s projection | 99 |
| 2090s projection | 99 |
| 2100s projection | 99 |
Keep exploring
- Life Expectancy at Birth in United Kingdom
- Income per Person (GDP per capita, PPP) in United Kingdom
- Child Mortality (under 5) in United Kingdom
- Years of Schooling in United Kingdom
- Children per Woman in United Kingdom
- Living in Cities in United Kingdom
- Full country profile: United Kingdom
- Where do YOU rank among everyone ever born? →
Questions people ask
What is the Internet Access in United Kingdom today?
95 % in the 2020s (ITU / World Bank).
How much did Internet Access in United Kingdom change since 1950?
Reliable 1950s data is not available for this series.
Where does United Kingdom rank worldwide?
#9 of 157 countries covered by MYRIAD in the 2020s.