60+ VPN Statistics That'll Convince You To Use One In 2023

It’s 2023. Privacy lost the fight. Big Brother is definitely watching. 

Thankfully, we also have ways to remain discreet, like using a virtual private network (VPN) software.

We’re always online. While it's easy, convenient, and super cool, using the internet presents serious privacy and security problems. VPN solves part of this problem as it allows users to create a secure connection when browsing. Whether you’re streaming a new movie, remotely connecting to your company server, or using a public connection, it gives you peace of mind. 

Don’t believe us? Still a bit dubious? Have some questions?

Great! Because we’re ready to take a deep dive into the numbers and trends that reveal the current state of VPNs: how many people use it, why they use it, and what to expect for 2024 and beyond.

Data security statistics: what drives VPN adoption?

Before we look at how many people use VPNs and whether they’re using it for streaming entertainment content or torrenting, let’s examine some key statistics related to data security. They provide valuable context for the growing significance of VPNs in today's digital landscape.

Data breach statistics

Imagine you're online, checking out your favorite brand's sneakers on their website. You find the perfect pair, make the purchase, and go about your day. But the next morning, you wake up to a shock: a stranger is transferring money from your bank account. What happened? 

A data breach. 

As we browse online, we create and share data everywhere. While it seems innocuous, the data is like gold for hackers and malicious actors. Cybercriminals can use your information to pretend to be you (identity theft), steal your money, or for any other harmful purpose.

Individuals and businesses alike end up losing millions of dollars because of these breaches. Take a look at these statistics that show this unfortunate, rising trend. It brings to the front the need for comprehensive cybersecurity, strengthened with tools like VPNs, anti-virus software, and firewalls. 

• 1,802 data compromises occurred in 2022, affecting over 420 million people. 
• Over 110 million accounts were exposed in the second quarter of 2023 alone, 2.6 times the number of breaches in Q1.

• The US had the highest number of breached accounts, with a staggering 49.8 million leaked accounts in Q2 2023. 
• Financial motives drive 95% of data breaches. 
• A quarter of data breaches involve ransomware.

Online privacy and personal data security statistics

These numbers shed light on the challenges and risks individuals face to safeguard their sensitive information in an increasingly dangerous, digital world.

• 90% agree that online privacy is important to them. 
• 83% of internet users want to do more to protect their online privacy. 
• Only 51% use tools like anti-virus software, ad blockers, and VPNs to increase their privacy. 

• 52% of all data breaches involved some form of customer personal data in 2023, up from 47% in 2022. 
• 47% of US citizens have had personal data exposed by cybercriminals. 
• Personal data such as victims’ names and social security numbers were exposed in over 1,000 data compromises in 2022. 
• 43% of public WiFi users have had their online security compromised. 
• 1 out of 2 Americans are unsure what to do after a data breach.

Business data security statistics

Preventing company data from falling into the wrong hands is crucial, no matter the industry. The following statistics tell you why. 

• Cybercriminals prioritized data theft in 40% of intrusions in 2022, up from 26% in 2021.
• The average cost of a data breach reached $4.45 million in 2023, an all-time high.
• Every data record the hackers manage to steal costs the targeted company $165.
• If any of those records contain personal information like names and social security numbers, it’s $183.
• So far in 2023, on average companies take 204 days to identify a data breach and another 73 days to contain it.
• 1 out of 2 companies indicate that they increase the pricing of their products after data breaches, sticking consumers with the cost.

The growing need for online security and data protection drives the increased adoption of VPNs because they ensure your connection is encrypted, making it impossible for the government, your internet service provider (ISP), or any third-party hackers and data brokers to spy on your activity.

VPN user statistics: who uses a VPN?

A VPN hides your actual internet protocol (IP) address, protects your online identity, and shields your data from third parties.

• 1.6 billion people, or 31% of total internet users, browse with VPN. That’s about 20% of the world's population.

• Nearly 40% of VPN users are aged between 16 and 34. 
• A third of people between 35 and 54 opt for VPNs to protect their online browsing activities.

Business VPN user statistics

Businesses mandate their employees to use VPNs for network security because VPNs encrypt data traffic to block hackers from intercepting and stealing sensitive information. 

VPN usage increased sharply once the COVID-19 pandemic began as more employees began working remotely, adopting work from anywhere and bring your own device (BYOD) policies. A VPN is essential for any business with multiple offices, remote employees, or a hybrid work culture. The numbers prove it.

• 95% of organizations used VPN in 2022, up from 93% in 2021. 
• 77% of professionals use VPN for their work nearly every day, which demonstrates how much we depend on it for business operations.

• According to G2 review data, more than a third of business VPN users are from mid-market companies. 16.2% work at enterprise companies. 

VPN usage statistics: Why do people use a VPN?

That Netflix movie you want to see? Except it’s unavailable in your country? VPN helps you bypass that geo-restriction and access content that you normally can’t. 

But the majority of VPN fans use it for their work when logging into their corporate internal network. Some like it for protecting their privacy while browsing the internet or using public WiFi networks. Still others use VPN to get around censorship or to improve their online gaming experience.

The following statistics show a clear picture of why people turn to VPNs.

• One out of two people uses a personal VPN for general security and privacy reasons. 
• 44% opt for a VPN to hide their online activities from ISPs and search engines. 
• More than a third use VPN as part of job requirements and to log in to corporate networks. 
• More than a third access streaming content with VPNs. 
• 28% employ VPNs to protect themselves when using public WiFi. 
• An independent study by G2 using Google Trends data between October 2022 and 2023 shows that search interest for “VPN for work” is at 74, a relatively high average, followed by increasing interest in using VPN for security and gaming purposes at 41 and 39, respectively. 

• There is greater interest in using VPNs for streaming services like Netflix, as evidenced by an average search interest of 73 for the term "VPN for Netflix" in the past 12 months.

VPN software with servers distributed across the globe helps get around the streaming giant’s geographical restrictions on its content library. Not surprisingly, this search term saw a peak in interest during the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown period because more individuals turned to streaming for entertainment at home.

• Similarly, people rely on VPNs to access social networking sites like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, as seen by high search interest for terms like “VPN for Facebook,” “VPN for Instagram,” and “VPN for TikTok.”
• Facebook is banned in several countries like China, Iran, North Korea, Myanmar, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Uganda, but the sanctions have probably helped “VPN for Facebook” have the highest search interest among social networks, with an average of 70 over the past 12 months.
• Respectively, interest in VPNs for TikTok and Instagram averaged at 69 and 43 during the same time period.
• Ironically, the search interest for “VPN for privacy” is relatively low, at an average of just 10 in the same period. 

Business VPN usage: Why do organizations use a VPN?

Businesses rely on multiple cybersecurity software platforms to protect their IT environment, whether on-premise or on the cloud. Organizations rely on VPNs to protect their network from data breaches and cyberattacks that threaten privacy and security.

• 84% of organizations use VPNs predominantly for remote employee access.
• 40% of businesses employ VPNs to access multiple sites. 
• A quarter of organizations access third party services with VPN. 
• 1 out of 10 use VPN to access Internet of Things (IoT) devices. 
• 11% use VPNs to interact with unmanaged devices. 

VPN growth statistics

The idea of VPN has existed since the 1970s. Microsoft created the tech in 1996 and used it so their employees could work securely. But the software’s significance has surged globally as more people started using the internet in their daily lives. The following statistics show how millions have adopted VPNs as a secure way to browse online today.

• VPN downloads in 85 countries grew 27%, from 277 million in 2020 to 353 million in 2022. 
• Annual VPN downloads reached a peak of 785 million in 2021, bolstered by the demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the numbers plateaued in 2022 with the easing of pandemic restrictions. 
• VPN downloads in the first half of 2023 hit 130 million. 

VPN adoption and downloads: Where are people using a VPN?

People use VPNs all over the world, but these statistics on adoption rates and downloads in different countries tell you where it’s most popular.

• Singapore leads the VPN adoption index, with 19.3% of its total population downloading VPN in the first half of 2023.
• The United Arab Emirates (16.9%) and Qatar (15.3%) have the second and third highest adoption rates.
• Japan and Venezuela have the lowest VPN adoption rates, with 0.49% and 0.37%.
• In terms of downloads, India leads the charge with 30.17 million downloads between January and June, even though it ranks 67th in the VPN adoption index due to the size of its population.
• The US ranks second in VPN downloads for the first half of 2023, with around 17.7 million downloads.

• 88% of Americans are familiar with VPN, up from 72% in 2020.
• 39% of Americans currently use VPNs professionally or privately. 
• Pakistan and Indonesia occupy the third and fourth positions with 9.03 million and 8.71 million VPN downloads.

VPN demand statistics

VPNs can be used to protect privacy, circumvent censorship, and access blocked content. Accordingly, demand for VPN surges in regions during social uprisings or when governments restrict internet usage. 

• On August 6, 2023, Iraq experienced a 72% increase in VPN downloads as Telegram was blocked.
• In the single largest increase ever seen, VPN demand in Senegal skyrocketed over 60,000% on June 2, 2023 after several social media platforms and messaging services were blocked.
• VPN demand rose 99% in Turkey during the run-up to the elections in May 2023. 
• VPN demand in Pakistan zoomed past 1,000% on May 10, 2023, after several social media sites were blocked. 
• The US state of Utah saw an 847% jump in VPN demand on May 3, 2023, after the state introduced a new age verification law. 

VPN market statistics: how big is the VPN industry?

The rising demand for secure and private internet access, the growing popularity of remote work and cloud computing, the increasing number of cyberattacks, and the desire to get around government restrictions are driving the growth of the VPN market.

• The global VPN market was worth $44.6 billion in 2022.
• The VPN market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15% to touch $137.7 billion by 2030.
• 121 business VPN products are listed on G2, underscoring a robust demand and diverse market for VPN software solutions from enterprises. 

VPN market by country

Asia leads the VPN market with three countries at the top: India, China, and Indonesia. High populations, government censorship, increasing use of mobile devices, e-commerce, and awareness about cyber threats contribute to faster growth of VPNs in this region. 

• With an $11.6 billion market size, India boasts the largest VPN market globally.
• China has a VPN market of $9.9 billion, and Indonesia $4.14 billion.
• The US has a market size of $2.7 billion. 
• Brazil and the Philippines are just over $1 billion. 

VPN market leaders

Several companies have emerged as dominant forces in the VPN market, holding a significant share of the industry. Keep reading to find out who’s competing to sell the best VPNs. 

• Technology major Cisco dominates the VPN market with two of its products, Cisco AnyConnect and Cisco VPN, commanding 28.63% and 24.7% of the total global VPN market share.
• Juniper Networks is next with a market share of about 11%.
• With its Citrix Gateway, Citrix places third with an 8% market share.
• OpenVPN comes fourth at 5%.

Privacy is the best policy

There’s no denying that the popularity of VPNs will continue to grow. No matter if you’re working from home or streaming in another country, they help make sure you browse the internet with as much privacy as possible. What happens online stays online, right?

Ready to get a VPN? Take a look our evaluation of 5 best free VPN software tools that will keep you safe, secure, and anonymous online.