717 Million Internet Users Globally by 2005

There will be over 717 million Internet users worldwide by the end of 2005, according to the latest estimates from Computer Industry Almanac. The study estimates that North America will account for 230 million users by that time, with Western Europe accounting for 202 million users. The Asia-Pacific region will follow in terms of users with a total of 171 million users expected online by 2005. The number of adults online in South and Central America is expected to increase to 43 million while together, the Middle East and Africa will account for just over 23.6 million users. For the purposes of the report, the Computer Industry Almanac classified an Internet user as an adult that accesses the Web on a weekly basis at work or at home.