Internet users in Mexico up 11 p.c.

MEXICO CITY: The number of Internet users in Mexico rose to 30.6 million in 2009, up by 11 percent from the previous year, the Mexican Internet Association said in a report.

Since 2005, according to the association's figures, the number of regular Internet users has risen by 13 million, with an average of 3 million to 4 million new users being added each year.

Mexico has a population of 107 million.

The Internet penetration rate in Mexico is 32.5 percent, which is still below the level in other countries, the report said.

The vast majority of Mexico's Internet users - some 25.6 million people - live in urban areas, the Mexican Internet Association said.

About 55 percent of Internet users in 2009 were men, but women increased their use by 1 percent, compared to 2008.

People with higher income levels tend to use the Internet more than poorer people, and user growth was also stronger among those who are better off, the report said.

Some 51 percent of Internet users go on the Web to download music, 32 percent to play online games, 27 percent to visit sports sites and 10 percent to view adult entertainment sites.

Slightly more than one-third of the households in Mexico have at least one computer, but only 70 percent of these machines can connect to the Internet.

Online use has risen by 25 minutes to an average of three hours and 21 minutes a day, with most people connecting to the Internet at home.

Activity at Internet cafes has declined markedly, the report said.