Hong Kong tops GFK Connected Consumer Index

Hong Kong continues to be the world’s most  “connected” population, with Singapore and Australia maintaining their second and third rankings in the Asia Pacific region, according to the latest GFK Connected Consumer Index.

The index ranks 78 countries and eight world regions for connectivity, both overall and in detail. It covers 11 device types – smartphone, tablet, mobile PC, desktop PC, wearables, smart TV, TV set-top box, videogame console, e-reader, connected car and smart home – and outlines trends over the past five years.
Hong Kong and North America (US, Canada and Mexico) hold steady as the world’s top two connected populations. In the Asia Pacific, Hong Kong is followed by Singapore and Australia, which rank 13th and 17th respectively at a global level.

Vietnam managed to climb two spots -from 61 last year to 59 this year. All other markets either maintained or fell in ranking. Most significantly, Japan dropped 10 spots to 30th ranking globally, while South Korea dropped to 38 from 31.

Asia Pacific rankings: Hong Kong 1, Singapore 2, Australia 3, New Zealand 4, Taiwan 5, Japan 6, South Korea 7, Malaysia 8, China 9, Thailand 10, Vietnam 11, Indonesia 12, Philippines 13, Cambodia 14, Bangladesh 15, India 16.

“In the emerging APAC region, the high level of smartphone adoption has been the key driver propelling connectivity as this is the primary device – and often the first device – for consumers to connect to data services,” says GFK Southeast Asia MD Stanley Kee.

“This trend is likely to remain dominant for the next two to three years as pricing reductions will lead to smartphones becoming even more affordable.”

Kee says that in developed markets like Hong Kong and Singapore, the growth drivers have already moved to the next wave of consumer connectivity, wearables, together with connected cars. “Smart home technology is an equally significant opportunity, but expected to be slower and steadier in terms of consumer adoption.”

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