Countries with the Highest Rates of Smartphone Addiction in 2024
Smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives, offering convenience, entertainment, and connectivity like never before.
Table of Contents
Countries with the Highest Rates of Smartphone Addiction:
China
China, the world’s second most populous country, has the largest smartphone market globally as well as ranks first among the countries with the highest rates of smartphone addiction. In 2021 alone, over 1.5 billion smartphones were sold in China. With such a massive population, it’s not surprising that China leads the world in smartphone addiction. The sheer number of users contributes to the prevalence of this phenomenon.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, an oil-rich nation in the Middle East, has witnessed rapid development. The country is home to more than 21 million smartphone users, favoring brands like Apple, Huawei, and Samsung. The combination of economic prosperity and technological advancement has fueled smartphone addiction.
Malaysia
Another oil-rich nation, Malaysia, has a significant smartphone addiction issue and ranks second among the countries with the highest rates of smartphone addiction. Android smartphones, particularly those from Huawei and Samsung, dominate the market. However, Apple maintains a decent user base in the country, reflecting diverse brand preferences.
Brazil
In Brazil, Samsung smartphones are the preferred choice among users. However, consumers also opt for Motorola, Huawei, and Apple devices. The blend of various brand loyalties contributes to Brazil’s spot on the list of smartphone-addicted countries.
South Korea
South Korea, renowned for its technological advancements and home to heavyweight manufacturers like Samsung and LG, unsurprisingly exhibits a high rate of smartphone addiction. It’s also the first country to commercialize 5G networks, with the second-highest number of 5G users globally, following China.
Iran
Iran may come as a surprise, given its restricted internet access and censorship. Iranians are denied access to platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and more. Iranian users favor Samsung, Xiaomi, and Huawei smartphones despite these drawbacks, demonstrating the persistence of smartphone addiction.
Canada
Canada boasts smartphone sales exceeding 30 million, with Apple, Samsung, and surprisingly Huawei leading the market. Even with busy North American lifestyles, Canadians are deeply attached to their smartphones.
Turkey
High taxes in Turkey contribute to higher smartphone prices compared to Europe. Nevertheless, Xiaomi, Samsung, and Apple remain the preferred choices in this transcontinental country.
Egypt
Egypt, the first African country on this list, shares its addiction to Xiaomi, Samsung, and Apple smartphones in equal proportions. Despite certain app restrictions and the need for VPNs to access popular platforms, smartphone usage remains high.
Nepal
Nepal, a small landlocked country in South Asia, known for hosting Mount Everest, also exhibits a significant smartphone addiction and is ranked 10th among the countries with the highest rates of smartphone addiction. Samsung and Xiaomi dominate the market, with Oppo, Vivo, Apple, and Huawei following closely behind.
FAQs
Which countries have the highest rates of smartphone addiction?
Studies suggest countries in East and Southeast Asia top the list:
China
Saudi Arabia
Malaysia
Brazil
South Korea
Iran
What are some factors that contribute to high smartphone addiction rates?
Cultural factors: Collectivist cultures might emphasize constant connectivity and social media presence.
Technological advancements: Features like notifications, constant updates, and engaging apps can be addictive.
Socioeconomic factors: Affordability of smartphones and data plans can increase usage.
Psychological factors: Smartphones can address feelings of loneliness, boredom, or social anxiety.
