VPN has become an integral part of online life for millions of users. Some use it for privacy, others — to access blocked services or cheaper subscriptions. However, demand varies widely by country. Below we review the leaders and the key drivers of popularity.
Top 10 countries by VPN penetration
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| Country | Share of VPN users | Main reasons for use |
|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | ~55% | Bypassing blocks, access to entertainment |
| India | ~43% | Frequent internet shutdowns, censorship |
| UAE | ~40% | VoIP restrictions, expat demand |
| Thailand | ~38% | Entertainment, social networks |
| Malaysia | ~38% | Content access and privacy |
| Saudi Arabia | ~37% | Internet filtering |
| Philippines | ~37% | Social networks and gaming |
| Turkey | ~36% | Political restrictions |
| South Africa | ~36% | Data protection, overseas services |
| Singapore | ~33% | Privacy, corporate needs |
Demand spikes during restrictions
Even in countries with lower baseline VPN usage, sharp spikes are recorded during internet restrictions and shutdowns:
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| Country | Event | Demand increase | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | Social media blocking | +342% | 2024 |
| Turkey | Political protests | +1100% | 2025 |
| Togo | Restrictions on news websites | +12 000% | 2025 |
| Nepal | Temporary ban of 26 platforms | +8000% | 2025 |
Key drivers of VPN demand
- Censorship and blocking: access to social networks, news and VoIP.
- Entertainment: streaming, online gaming and overseas platforms.
- Privacy: data protection in countries with low internet freedom.
- Spikes in demand: user reaction to short-term shutdowns.
Conclusion: Asia and the Middle East are the regions with the highest VPN penetration. In Africa and South America, demand often surges during restrictions. North America and Europe remain large markets in absolute terms, where VPNs are used for privacy and content access.
Sources: GWI, Statista, Security.org, Top10VPN, Freedom House, Access Now (#KeepItOn).
