Key Takeaways
- 23% of internet users (16+) use a VPN globally as of 2025 Q2
- Stable market – usage remained between 22.7% and 24.7% since late 2022
- 1 in 4 online users rely on VPNs for streaming, privacy, or access
The Story Behind the Numbers
This dataset tracks the share of internet users aged 16 and over who say they use a virtual private network (VPN) for at least some of their online activity. Globally, VPN usage is very stable, staying between about 22.7% and 24.7% from late 2022 through mid-2025. This narrow range suggests the VPN market is reaching a mature stage, where most people who clearly benefit from VPNs already use them. Among internet users 16+, usage peaks in 2023 Q1 at 24.7%, then eases slightly to 24.3% in Q2, 24.0% in Q3, and 23.2% in Q4.
In 2024, figures dipped slightly before recovering: 22.7% in Q1, 22.9% in Q2, 23.1% in Q3, and then a noticeable rebound to 24.0% in Q4 – briefly returning to early-2023 levels. Into 2025, the rate eased again to 23.1% in Q1 and 23.0% in Q2. From 2024 Q1 onward, adults aged 65+ are explicitly included in the sample. Since older adults tend to use VPNs less frequently, this methodological change may help explain why 2024-2025 averages sit a bit below the peak seen in early 2023.
Why This Data is Important
These numbers show that VPNs are now a regular part of everyday internet use for people aged 16 and over. Roughly one in four online users rely on a VPN at least occasionally. With 92% of U.S. teens active on YouTube and a majority on TikTok and Instagram, much of global traffic now runs through logged-in, algorithm-driven platforms where data collection is continuous. That represents hundreds of millions of people who use VPNs to stream content, access blocked sites, or protect themselves on public Wi-Fi. Many people also use VPNs in a situational way – not continuously, but when a specific task requires more privacy or access. This helps explain why global adoption remains steady rather than showing dramatic jumps.
For everyday users, this steady adoption means VPNs are no longer a specialist tool. If your main goal is watching shows from other countries, it is worth focusing on services that work well with streaming platforms. If you care most about masking your IP address from websites and your internet provider, it helps to understand how IP hiding works in practice. For businesses and policymakers, the stable 22-25% range among internet users aged 16+ points to a mature market that still has room to grow, especially in regions where VPN use remains below the global average.
Looking Ahead: Future Outlook
If current patterns continue, global VPN usage will likely stay close to the “one in four users” level, with only small quarterly shifts. Any growth from here may come from specific use cases such as gaming performance, secure remote work, or accessing a more open internet in restricted regions.
Because adults aged 65+ are now included from 2024 onward, the global average may remain slightly lower than the 2023 peak even if adoption rises among younger users. Ongoing changes in high-usage regions will likely have the biggest influence on future global movements.
Source & Methodology
All figures come from the Global Digital Report 2026 by We Are Social. The dataset includes quarterly results from 2022 Q4 through 2025 Q2. Values show the percentage of internet users aged 16+ who say they use a VPN for at least some online activities. Starting in 2024 Q1, adults aged 65+ were included in the sample, which may contribute to the slightly lower percentages seen in 2024 and 2025.