The number of netizens is growing sharply, according to a survey by Ipsos-Insight, a research firm. Internet usage in 2004 was primarily driven by Japan and the U.S. among the 12 markets measured. The U.S., nevertheless, still accounts for the largest Internet market with 162 million users, or 42% of the Internet population in measured markets. Japan follows, with close to 70 million users. Much of the remainder of the growth was contributed by France and urban markets of China and Russia, with the latter two, while still consisting only of close to 10 million online users each, demonstrating the strongest—each with over 50 percent—year over year online population growth.

Source: Ipsos-Insight, The Face of the Web 2004, survey of 6,544 adults in 12 global markets, October 2004