World PC Usage

The number of PCs in use worldwide surpassed 820 million in 2004 and is projected to top 1 billion before the end of 2007 according to a report by Computer Industry Almanac. Growth is slowing as the industrialized world approaches the top of the 'S-curve', but will continue strongly in the developing countries for another decade.

The US has more than three times the number of PCs in use of second-placed Japan, and accounts for a little more than 27% of all PCs in use compared to 4.6% of the world's population. PC usage in China is expected to surpass Japan in 2007 - it is also growing strongly in Brazil, India and Russia.

Top 15 Countries In PCs In-Use
Year-end 2004	PCs In-Use (#M)	Share %
1. U.S.	223.81	27.22
2. Japan	69.20	8.42
3. China	52.99	6.45
4. Germany	46.30	5.63
5. UK	35.89	4.37
6. France	29.41	3.58
7. South Korea	26.20	3.19
8. Italy	22.65	2.75
9. Canada	22.39	2.72
10. Brazil	19.35	2.35
11. Russia	19.01	2.31
12. Australia	13.72	1.67
13. India	13.03	1.58
14. Mexico	11.21	1.36
15. Netherlands	11.11	1.35
Top 15 Total	616.27	74.96
Worldwide Total	822.15	100.0

Report author Dr. Egil Juliussen says that notebook PCs are growing rapidly and now account for 24% of total PCs in-use and nearly 27% in the US. The US has around 76 PCs per 100 population - higher for the time being than the figure for cellphones.

The report, 'Computers In-Use by Country' estimates and forecasts the number of PCs in-use for 57 countries and the six main regions of the world for 1990 through 2010. Computer Industry Almanac publishes market research reports for the PC, PDA, information appliances and Internet industries. The Almanac is online at www.c-i-a.com

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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