Asian Internet market to surge

Business Asia, March 3, 2000

At the end of 1998 it was estimated that around 171.8 million people had access to the Internet throughout the world.

Canada and the US held the largest share of the Internet market with 56 per cent in 1998.

However, the combined percentage share is set to decline considerably as Europe and the Asia-Pacific region catches up with 24 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively, by the end of 1999.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Japan has the largest share of the market.

* Information supplied by Euromonitor's regional marketing executive Angel Heng: angel@euromonitor.com.sg

Worldwide Internet Access by Region 1998-2001

Million people with internet access

                1998    1999    2000    2001

Canada & US     97.0   109.2   117.3   125.2

Europe          40.1    54.0    65.0    79.0

Asia-Pacific    27.0    41.2    47.3    56.2

Latin America    5.7    12.8    19.7    23.4

Africa           1.1     4.4     6.9    10.3

Middle East      0.9     3.9     5.4     9.1