Liechtenstein tops global index for internet access

Liechtenstein has been ranked the world's best-connected country in MoneySuperMarket Broadband's Internet Accessibility Index 2026, which compares fixed and mobile internet measures across 144 countries.

The index combines indicators such as fixed-line broadband speeds, the price and affordability of home broadband packages, and the cost of mobile data. It aims to highlight countries with strong infrastructure and fewer barriers to getting online, as well as markets where cost and access remain major constraints.

Liechtenstein scored 95.87 out of 100 overall. The United Kingdom placed second with 94.22, followed by Denmark on 93.19. Australia ranked fourth with 92.58, and the United States was fifth with 92.30.

Monaco, ranked sixth overall with 92.14, led the speed table, recording a median download speed of 232.4 Mbps over the past 12 months. Liechtenstein placed second on speed at 146.3 Mbps, with Uruguay third at 139.6 Mbps.

European lead

Western Europe dominated the overall top 20. Alongside Liechtenstein, the UK, and Denmark in the top three, the top 10 also included Monaco, Spain, France, and Malta. Romania ranked ninth, and the Netherlands placed 13th.

The ranking also highlighted strong showings outside Western Europe. Uruguay and Brazil entered the top 20 from South America at 11th and 12th. Vietnam ranked 15th, with Singapore 17th. Turkey and Israel also featured in the top 20.

The fastest-download list also skewed towards Europe. Seven of the top 10 countries by median download speed were in Western Europe, according to the research. Andorra and Iceland also appeared in the top 10, alongside Canada and the United States.

The UK's median download speed was 70.9 Mbps, placing it 21st on that measure despite ranking second overall. This reflects the index structure, which weighs multiple factors rather than speed alone.

Affordability gaps

Singapore ranked first for fixed-line broadband affordability, measured as a share of average monthly salary. Broadband there typically costs £26.51 (USD $35.40) per month, which the research calculated as 0.57% of monthly income.

Romania ranked second on affordability at 0.60% of monthly salary. Liechtenstein and Israel followed at 0.66%, with Denmark next at 0.67%. Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Sweden, and Austria completed the top 10.

At the other end of the table, Mozambique was the least affordable for fixed-line broadband, with costs equivalent to 263.8% of monthly salary. Madagascar, Somalia, Afghanistan, and Comoros were also among the least affordable markets.

The findings point to a regional affordability gap. Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 17 of the 25 least affordable markets for fixed broadband, according to the study.

In the UK, broadband affordability ranked 20th, with costs measured at 0.94% of median monthly income. The United States placed 16th on the same measure.

Mobile data prices

Israel ranked as the cheapest country for 1GB of mobile data, with an average cost of 6p (USD $0.08). Italy placed second at 16p (USD $0.22) per GB, and Kazakhstan was third at 37p (USD $0.50).

Australia appeared in the top 10 cheapest list for mobile data at 42p (USD $0.56) per GB. Several Asian markets also ranked highly: Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Cambodia were all among the 10 lowest-cost countries for 1GB of data.

Switzerland was the most expensive country for 1GB of mobile data in the dataset, at £6.15 (USD $8.21). New Zealand followed at £6.11 (USD $8.16). Seychelles, Puerto Rico, and Andorra also ranked among the highest-cost markets.

The UK ranked 56th for mobile data costs, with 1GB priced at £1.12 (USD $1.50) on average.

Slowest connections

Several countries recorded very low median download speeds: Afghanistan at 1.7 Mbps, Tajikistan at 2.8 Mbps, Namibia at 3.1 Mbps, Lebanon at 3.4 Mbps, and Ethiopia at 3.5 Mbps. The research noted that many of these countries also scored poorly on affordability and value measures.

The methodology combined data from sources including Google M-Lab, the World Bank, Our World in Data, Numbeo, the Alliance for Affordable Internet, GSMA, and the International Telecommunication Union. Researchers also gathered mobile and broadband package prices manually from major providers in each country.

Scores for each category were assigned using a min-max normalisation formula, then combined into an overall connectivity score out of 100.

Elena Glynn of MoneySuperMarket Broadband said the findings show wide variation between markets.

"Our research highlights the stark differences in internet access around the world. In some countries, fast speeds and affordable pricing make getting online simple, while in others, limited infrastructure and high costs remain a barrier to opportunity. Although the UK ranks second overall in our Index, the findings show that several European neighbours still lead on cost and affordability - which is why it's so important to shop around and compare deals to find the best value."