Account Security and Strong Password Usage by Country – 2026
Do you use strong passwords and enable login alerts to protect your online accounts? Account security and strong password usage represent fundamental digital safety practices that enable people to protect devices and online accounts from unauthorized access and cyber threats. This analysis examines account security practices by country across 42 nations, revealing how populations have adopted effective security measures and the significant disparities in cybersecurity awareness that persist globally. Understanding account security adoption provides insight into broader patterns of digital skill adoption, cybersecurity awareness, and digital inequality between countries. This analysis is based on the latest available UNESCO ICT skills data, with projections extending to 2026.
Account security and strong password usage measure the percentage of people who set up effective security measures such as strong passwords and login attempt notifications to protect devices and online accounts. This includes using complex passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and setting up login alerts. A security adoption rate of 70% means 70 out of 100 people use effective security measures, while 30 do not or use weak passwords. This metric captures adoption of cybersecurity practices and represents a key indicator of digital safety awareness across populations. Strong passwords and login alerts enable effective protection of online accounts and devices from unauthorized access. People who use strong passwords and security alerts can prevent account compromise, reduce exposure to cyber threats, and maintain control over personal accounts and data. These cybersecurity practices are foundational for digital safety, enabling people to participate in digital environments while protecting accounts from unauthorized access. Weak passwords and lack of security measures leave accounts vulnerable to compromise and data theft. Several countries show exceptionally high account security adoption rates, indicating populations with strong cybersecurity awareness and digital safety practices. Brunei leads with 82.6% (2022), followed by Oman (78.9%), Singapore (78.7%), and Saudi Arabia (78.4%). These nations combine strong digital infrastructure, cybersecurity awareness campaigns, and populations comfortable with implementing security measures. The high account security adoption in these countries reflects broader digital skill adoption and significant investment in cybersecurity education and digital safety awareness. Developed nations in Northern Europe and the Middle East show particularly strong adoption rates of account security practices. Belgium (77.1%), Canada (75.0%), and Malta (74.4%) demonstrate strong strong password usage and security alert adoption. These countries have invested in digital literacy programs and cybersecurity awareness campaigns that ensure populations understand the importance of account protection. The global digital skills gap is evident when comparing these high-performing nations with countries where account security adoption remains limited. Many countries show growing account security adoption, driven by increasing cybersecurity awareness and digital threat concerns. Countries in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe demonstrate strong growth trajectories in security measure adoption as digital literacy programs expand and cybersecurity threats increase. Spain (66.2%), Egypt (64.6%), and Slovakia (60.7%) show strong account security practices. These emerging markets represent the global digital skill adoption trend toward more universal cybersecurity awareness. Developing nations increasingly recognize account security and strong password usage as essential for digital safety and account protection. As cybersecurity awareness campaigns expand and digital literacy programs emphasize account protection, populations gain opportunities to develop security practices. However, significant gaps persist between countries with mature cybersecurity awareness infrastructure and those with limited digital literacy education. The digital inequality between countries remains a critical challenge for global cybersecurity adoption. Many countries show low account security adoption rates, reflecting multiple barriers to cybersecurity awareness and digital safety practices. Limited digital literacy means populations do not understand password security or the importance of strong passwords. Complex security requirements create barriers even when awareness exists. Lack of cybersecurity education and awareness campaigns means populations never learn about account protection. Language barriers limit access to security information and guidance. Older populations show lower adoption than younger demographics, reflecting generational differences in cybersecurity awareness and digital safety practices. Economic and social factors significantly influence account security adoption and broader cybersecurity awareness. Populations in low-income countries may prioritize basic internet access over security concerns. Educational systems in developing nations may not prioritize cybersecurity education. Limited availability of security information in local languages restricts learning opportunities for non-English speakers. In some contexts, cybersecurity concerns may be less prominent than in others. These factors contribute to the global digital skill gaps observed across countries. High account security adoption enables effective protection of online accounts and devices from cyber threats. People who use strong passwords and security alerts can prevent account compromise, reduce exposure to data theft, and maintain account security. Organizations benefit from users with strong cybersecurity awareness that reduces account compromise risks and improves overall digital security. Account security practices represent a critical foundation for digital safety and account protection. Low account security adoption creates vulnerability to account compromise and cyber threats. People without strong password practices and security alerts leave accounts vulnerable to unauthorized access and potential data theft. Organizations face increased account compromise risks when users do not implement effective security measures. The global digital skill gaps directly impact account security and digital safety across nations. The 2026 projections show continued growth in account security adoption across most countries. High-performing nations like Brunei, Oman, and Singapore are projected to maintain strong security adoption rates, representing populations where cybersecurity practices are nearly universal. Mid-tier countries show growth potential as cybersecurity awareness campaigns expand and digital literacy programs emphasize account protection. Low-adoption countries will likely see accelerating growth in account security practices as cybersecurity threats increase and younger generations with native cybersecurity awareness become larger population shares. The global digital skill adoption trend points toward more universal cybersecurity awareness. Emerging technologies including biometric authentication, passwordless login, and automated security alerts will likely make account protection more accessible and intuitive. However, significant gaps will persist between developed and developing nations, and between connected and disconnected populations within countries. Account security practices will remain a critical determinant of digital safety and account protection across nations. 📊 About the Data Data years vary by country (2017–2024). Where recent data is unavailable, projections are applied using historical trends. Year labels in the data table reflect projection targets, not survey years. This approach ensures comprehensive coverage while maintaining methodological transparency. This analysis uses UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) data from ICT skills surveys across 42 countries (2017-2024). The data measures self-reported behavior among individuals aged 15-74 who set up effective security measures such as strong passwords and login attempt notifications to protect devices and online accounts. This UNESCO digital skills data provides comprehensive coverage of account security adoption globally. Account security adoption rate represents: (Number of people who use effective security measures ÷ Total surveyed population aged 15-74) × 100. For example, 75% means 75 out of 100 people use strong passwords and security alerts. This metric captures adoption of cybersecurity practices and indicates digital safety awareness. Our dataset includes 38 countries (90%) with current data from 2020-2024, while 4 countries (10%) have older data from 2017-2019. Of the 42 countries in the dataset, 23 had multiple historical data points suitable for linear regression analysis, while 19 countries had single data points. For 2026 projections, we applied linear regression analysis using all available historical data points for each country. Countries with single data points received projections based on growth patterns adjusted for economic development and digital literacy infrastructure. This approach provides insight into global account security adoption rates and cybersecurity awareness patterns. Projections include growth dampening for high-performing countries (>75% current rate) to reflect saturation effects in account security adoption. Countries with older data (>5 years) received additional dampening (50% growth reduction) to account for data uncertainty. All estimates are capped at each country's historical maximum observed value to prevent unrealistic projections. For example, if a country's highest recorded account security adoption was 82.6%, the 2026 projection cannot exceed 82.6%. This approach ensures projections remain grounded in observed cybersecurity adoption patterns while allowing for modest growth in countries with lower current rates. Survey methodologies follow UNESCO's standardized ICT skills measurement framework, though self-reported security practices may not capture actual password strength or frequency of security measure implementation. The UNESCO digital skills data provides valuable insight into global patterns of cybersecurity awareness and digital inequality between countries.Understanding Account Security and Strong Password Usage
Account Security and Strong Password Usage by Country – 2026
1
82.6%
2
79.6%
3
78.9%
4
78.4%
5
77.1%
6
75%
7
74.4%
8
66.2%
9
64.6%
10
60%
11
59.6%
12
58.9%
13
56.7%
14
45.3%
15
43.4%
16
42.4%
17
35.3%
18
30.2%
19
25.5%
20
20.9%
21
18.8%
22
18.6%
23
16.1%
24
15.5%
25
12.6%
26
12.2%
27
12%
28
12%
29
9.2%
30
9.1%
31
8.3%
32
8.3%
33
8%
34
5.6%
35
4.6%
36
2.6%
37
1.3%
38
1.2%
39
0.4%
Global Leaders in Account Security Practices
Emerging Cybersecurity Awareness
Barriers to Account Security Adoption
Account Security and Digital Safety
Future Trends in Cybersecurity Awareness
Account Security and Strong Password Usage by Country – 2026
#
1
82.6 (2022)
82.6%
2
78.7 (2023)
79.6%
3
78.9 (2024)
78.9%
4
78.4 (2023)
78.4%
5
77.1 (2023)
77.1%
6
75.0 (2022)
75%
7
74.4 (2020)
74.4%
8
66.2 (2020)
66.2%
9
64.6 (2022)
64.6%
10
60.7 (2023)
60%
11
59.6 (2023)
59.6%
12
58.9 (2023)
58.9%
13
56.7 (2022)
56.7%
14
45.3 (2023)
45.3%
15
43.4 (2023)
43.4%
16
42.4 (2023)
42.4%
17
35.3 (2021)
35.3%
18
30.2 (2023)
30.2%
19
25.5 (2023)
25.5%
20
20.9 (2021)
20.9%
21
18.8 (2022)
18.8%
22
18.6 (2023)
18.6%
23
16.1 (2023)
16.1%
24
15.5 (2023)
15.5%
25
12.6 (2021)
12.6%
26
12.2 (2023)
12.2%
27
12.0 (2023)
12%
28
12.0 (2022)
12%
29
9.2 (2023)
9.2%
30
9.1 (2023)
9.1%
31
8.3 (2023)
8.3%
32
8.3 (2020)
8.3%
33
8.0 (2023)
8%
34
5.6 (2023)
5.6%
35
4.6 (2023)
4.6%
36
2.6 (2019)
2.6%
37
1.3 (2022)
1.3%
38
1.2 (2023)
1.2%
39
0.4 (2021)
0.4%
Methodology and Data Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does account security and strong password usage mean and why is it important for digital safety?
A: Account security and strong password usage measure the percentage of people who set up effective security measures such as strong passwords and login attempt notifications to protect devices and online accounts. If your country has 75%, it means 75 out of 100 people use strong passwords and security alerts while 25 do not. This matters because strong passwords and security alerts enable people to protect accounts from unauthorized access and cyber threats. People with strong account security practices can prevent account compromise, reduce exposure to data theft, and maintain account security. Countries with high adoption like Brunei (82.6%), Oman (78.9%), and Singapore (78.7%) have populations capable of protecting accounts effectively. Low-adoption countries face barriers where populations use weak passwords, leaving accounts vulnerable to compromise and data theft. Account security practices represent a key indicator of digital safety and cybersecurity awareness.
Q: Why do some countries have high account security adoption while others lag significantly behind?
A: Account security adoption depends on multiple interconnected factors that determine cybersecurity awareness and digital safety practices across countries. Digital literacy education is fundamental—countries with strong digital literacy programs see higher adoption of strong password practices. Cybersecurity awareness campaigns significantly influence adoption by educating populations about account compromise risks and security best practices. Younger populations demonstrate higher adoption than older demographics due to greater digital exposure and cybersecurity awareness. Economic development generally correlates with higher adoption. Educational systems that prioritize digital safety and cybersecurity education produce populations with stronger account security practices. Developed nations like Brunei, Oman, and Singapore combine strong digital literacy programs, active cybersecurity awareness campaigns, and comprehensive digital safety education that ensure populations develop strong password practices. Developing countries often show lower adoption due to limited digital literacy education, fewer cybersecurity awareness campaigns, and lower priority given to security concerns, though adoption is growing as digital literacy expands and cybersecurity threats increase. The global digital skill gaps reflect broader patterns of digital inequality between countries.
Data Disclaimer: Projected data (future years) are estimates based on mathematical models. Actual values may differ. Learn about our methodology →
Sources
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Updated: 26.01.2026https://databrowser.uis.unesco.org/browser/EDUCATION/UIS-SDG4Monitoring/t4.4/i4.4.1
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