A Study On The Popularity Of VPN Use In Different Countries

My main interest in this study is to identify general VPN adoption trends. However, I also consider high impact factors that affect VPN adoption rates. Factors like government restrictions, security concerns, and regional differences in internet freedom.

In this study I’ll be answering 4 major questions which will shed light on the topic and allow us to better understand just how wide spread the use of VPN services has become in 2025.

In order to answer these questions as accurately as I possibly can, I collected relevant data from reliable sources, conduct my own polls, and analyzed the results.

Countries with the highest VPN usage rates

In this section, I go over the data on reported VPN usage in 12 countires. The data was collected from Statista and GWI, both are reliable sources of accurate data with a proven track record of high standards and accuracy.

That said, as with any study, there is always a margin of error. Meaning, the statistics you see below may not be 100% accurate considering a small margin of error (1 or 2 percentage points).

Key Insights:

1. UAE (42.3%) and Russia (41.8%) have the highest VPN adoption rates
   • These countries likely see high VPN usage due to internet censorship, government restrictions, or the need to access geo-blocked content.
2. Turkey (33.2%) and Indonesia (30.9%) also show significant VPN adoption
   • Turkey has strict internet regulations and social media bans, which contribute to high VPN usage.
   • Indonesia’s VPN use is influenced by government censorship and restrictions on certain websites.
3. Vietnam (29.1%), Saudi Arabia (27.8%), and Malaysia (27.0%) show moderate to high VPN use
   • These regions also have varying degrees of internet restrictions and censorship, making VPNs a necessity for many users.
4. Netherlands (25.2%), Australia (24.8%), USA (24.6%), Germany (24.2%), and UK (22.8%) have relatively lower, but still notable, VPN adoption rates
   • Unlike the top-ranking countries, VPN usage here is likely driven more by privacy concerns, streaming geo-restricted content (e.g., Netflix), and corporate security needs.

Overall Trends:

• Higher VPN adoption is correlated with internet restrictions and censorship. Countries like UAE, Russia, and Turkey see high VPN usage due to strict regulations.
• Western countries have lower VPN adoption, but privacy and streaming services still drive usage. While not facing heavy censorship, users in the USA, UK, and Germany use VPNs for security and unrestricted content access.

So, to answer the original question “Which countries have the highest VPN usage rates?“. The data clearly shows a significantly higher rate of VPN adoption in UAE, Russia, and Turkey. These countries are the top 3 VPN consumers in the world.

Now, you may be asking yourself, why do people in these countries use VPNs at a higher rate than the rest? Well, a simple explanation is “Internet censorship”. These countries have some of the most stringent internet censorship and surveillance rules and regulations.

We can see a clear corrolation between high internet censorship and high demand for VPN services. Basically, internet users don’t like being told what they can or cannot access online. It is understable that people prefer a more free and open internet.

Main reasons for VPN use in different regions

This infographic highlights the primary reasons why users rely on VPNs, with the most common motivations including accessing geo-blocked content, privacy concerns, and bypassing restrictions.

Key Insights:

1. Accessing Geo-Blocked Content is the Top Reason (51%)
   • More than half of VPN users rely on the service to access restricted or region-locked content (e.g., streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer).
   • This suggests that entertainment and content availability are major drivers of VPN adoption.
2. Privacy & Anonymity Are Significant Factors (34%)
   • 34% of users use VPNs to access social networks in regions where platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube are blocked.
   • An equal percentage (34%) use VPNs to remain anonymous while browsing, which points to growing concerns over data privacy, ISP tracking, and surveillance.
3. Torrenting & File Sharing (30%)
   • A notable portion (30%) of users utilize VPNs to access torrent sites, indicating a demand for secure and anonymous downloading.
   • Many countries restrict access to torrent platforms, prompting users to turn to VPNs.
4. Communication with Friends & Family Abroad (27%)
   • VPNs are used by nearly one-third of users (27%) to connect with family and friends in regions where VoIP services (e.g., WhatsApp, Skype, FaceTime) are restricted.
   • This is particularly relevant in countries like UAE and Saudi Arabia, where voice/video calling apps are blocked.
5. Hiding Web Activity from Government (20%)
   • A smaller yet significant portion (20%) of users rely on VPNs to protect themselves from government surveillance.
   • This aligns with trends in authoritarian or highly monitored countries where internet activity is tracked or censored.

Overall Takeaways:

• Entertainment and content access drive the majority of VPN adoption (51%).
• Privacy concerns are growing, with anonymity (34%) and avoiding government surveillance (20%) playing key roles.
• Censorship and restrictions in certain countries contribute to VPN demand, especially for social media access (34%) and communication (27%).
• Torrenting remains a common reason (30%), though legal risks may impact this trend.

Does government censorship impact VPN adoption?

Government censorship has a significant impact on VPN adoption, as restrictions on online content often drive users to seek alternative ways to access blocked websites and services.

Countries with strict censorship laws, such as China, Russia, and the UAE, tend to have higher VPN usage rates, as individuals use these tools to bypass geo-restrictions, maintain online privacy, and access restricted social media platforms.

As governments continue to impose digital barriers, VPN adoption is expected to rise, particularly in regions where internet freedom is increasingly limited.

Internet Freedom Index

This data was collected from freedomhouse.org, a trustworthy source of information on worldwide freedom and civil rights. The Internet Freedom Index is how they keep track of Internet freedom levels around the world.

Iceland is leading the pack with a whopping score of 94, with the second best score at 92 going to Estonia. While these 2 countries sit on top of the pile, all countries that score above 70 on the Internet Freedom Index are considered to have free access to the internet with the least amount of restrictions and guardrails imposed by the government.

A low Internet Freedom score indicates strong government censorship and intervention. The graph clearly shows a significant drop in freedom scores reaching a measly score of 9 for China and Myanmar tied for last place.

As an advocate for a free and open internet for everyone, i find this data extremely concerning. Government over regulation and strict censorship has become one of the main public concerns. That’s not just my opinion, 64% of internet users agree.

Government-imposed restrictions on online content has become a serious concern for internet users worldwide. We’re even seeing internet freedom numbers decline in countries that were previously considered free and democratic like the United States.

Several states have passed legistlation in the past couple of years severly restricting access to certain parts of the internet. An unexpected turn of events as the U.S was usually considered to be the beacon of internet freedom and user rights.

The U.S has since abandoned their vision for a free and equitable internet for all, and are heading down the path of censorship and government over-reach.

That said, with a new administration taking over in the U.S, it seems like there might be a shift in policy going forward. According to this executive order issued by the White House, the new administration is looking to restore freedom of speech and end federal censorship. We’ll have to wait and see how all that unfolds in the coming months and years.

Tracking Internet Freedom Trends Over the Past Five Years

The graph above shows a decrease in internet freedom from 20% in 2019 to 17% in 2024. Losing 3 percentage points in 5 years is quite concerning, it’s an indication that countries are becoming more censorious and strict about what they allow people to access on the internet.

The graph shows a fluctuating trend over time, with some regions experiencing an increase in restrictions while others maintain relative stability. The overall trend suggests a gradual decline in global internet freedom, particularly in certain regions, highlighting growing concerns over censorship, surveillance, and digital rights limitations.

Conclusion

The findings of this study clearly demonstrate a strong correlation between government censorship and VPN adoption. Countries with strict internet regulations, such as the UAE, Russia, and Turkey, consistently show the highest VPN usage rates, as users seek ways to bypass restrictions and maintain online privacy.

In contrast, countries with fewer restrictions still see steady VPN adoption, primarily driven by concerns over privacy, security, and access to geo-restricted content.

Furthermore, the data highlights a concerning decline in global internet freedom over the past five years, with more governments imposing barriers on digital access. As censorship and surveillance continue to rise, VPN usage is expected to grow in response.

The increasing number of internet users expressing concerns about government-imposed restrictions further emphasizes the demand for unrestricted and secure online access.

Moving forward, the balance between internet freedom and regulation will remain a key issue, shaping the digital landscape for years to come.