People Who Send Files via Email or Messaging Apps by Country (%) – 2026

When you need to share a document, photo, or video, can you attach it to an email or message? The ability to send file attachments is a fundamental digital skill that affects workplace productivity, family communication, and access to modern services. This analysis examines how people across 97 countries share files through digital messages, revealing significant gaps in basic communication capabilities.

Why File Sharing via Email and Apps Matters

File sharing via email and messaging apps measures the percentage of people who can successfully send documents, photos, or videos through digital platforms. A rate of 75% means 75 out of 100 people can share files digitally, while 25 cannot. This skill is essential for remote work, online education, and staying connected with family and friends.

People without file sharing abilities face major barriers in modern communication. They can't submit job applications with resumes, share family photos easily, or participate in digital collaboration. This creates significant disadvantages in increasingly digital economies.

People Who Send Files via Email or Messaging Apps by Country (%) – 2026

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#	Country	Email Attachment Rate 2026 Estimate (%)
1	Brunei BN	95%
2	Canada CA	95%
3	Egypt EG	95%
4	Mongolia MN	95%
5	Oman OM	95%
6	Saudi Arabia SA	95%
7	South Korea KR	95%
8	United Arab Emirates AE	95%
9	Ireland IE	92.3%
10	Switzerland CH	92.1%
11	Hungary HU	90.7%
12	Netherlands NL	90.3%
13	Denmark DK	90.2%
14	Russia RU	90%
15	United Kingdom GB	89%
16	Bahrain BH	88.9%
17	Finland FI	87.9%
18	Belgium BE	87.6%
19	Iceland IS	87.5%
20	Austria AT	87.2%
21	Sweden SE	87.2%
22	Malaysia MY	86.9%
23	Luxembourg LU	86.4%
24	Greece GR	86.2%
25	Germany DE	85.7%
26	Czech Republic CZ	84.6%
27	Uruguay UY	83.5%
28	Slovenia SI	83.3%
29	Norway NO	82.4%
30	Malta MT	79.8%
31	Singapore SG	77.1%
32	Spain ES	76.8%
33	Ukraine UA	76.5%
34	France FR	76.3%
35	Japan JP	75.6%
36	Chile CL	74.8%
37	Azerbaijan AZ	74.2%
38	Estonia EE	73.4%
39	Indonesia ID	72.7%
40	Kuwait KW	71.7%
41	Italy IT	70.1%
42	Portugal PT	69.7%
43	Serbia RS	68.8%
44	Hong Kong HK	68.7%
45	Lithuania LT	66.6%
46	Latvia LV	66.2%
47	Croatia HR	66.1%
48	Slovakia SK	65.1%
49	Cyprus CY	62.2%
50	Bulgaria BG	61.8%
51	Poland PL	61.6%
52	Qatar QA	60.3%
53	North Macedonia MK	56.4%
54	Kazakhstan KZ	55.2%
55	Morocco MA	53.2%
56	Bosnia and Herzegovina BA	51.3%
57	Georgia GE	48.1%
58	Romania RO	46.7%
59	Cuba CU	44.5%
60	Cambodia KH	43.8%
61	Türkiye TR	43.8%
62	Curaçao CW	40.2%
63	Bangladesh BD	39.7%
64	Zimbabwe ZW	37.6%
65	Belarus BY	36.6%
66	Colombia CO	36.5%
67	Mauritius MU	36.5%
68	Macau MO	35%
69	Mexico MX	29.5%
70	Vietnam VN	28.9%
71	Brazil BR	27.5%
72	Uzbekistan UZ	26.8%
73	Tunisia TN	25.7%
74	Jamaica JM	24.8%
75	Palestine PS	24.6%
76	Botswana BW	22.9%
77	South Africa ZA	21.4%
78	Peru PE	20.5%
79	Jordan JO	19.4%
80	Algeria DZ	18.5%
81	Djibouti DJ	17.6%
82	Thailand TH	16.5%
83	Ivory Coast CI	16%
84	Cape Verde CV	15.1%
85	Bhutan BT	13.9%
86	Dominican Republic DO	13.2%
87	Ecuador EC	12.3%
88	Iran IR	10.4%
89	Niger NE	9.4%
90	Lesotho LS	9%
91	Philippines PH	7.9%
92	Burundi BI	4.7%
93	Pakistan PK	3.7%
94	Togo TG	3.2%
95	Sudan SD	2.8%
96	Malawi MW	1.7%
97	Iraq IQ	0%

Global Leaders in Digital File Sharing

United Arab Emirates leads with 100% file sharing usage (2023), followed by Saudi Arabia (99.5%) and Oman (98.3%). These Gulf states invested heavily in digital infrastructure and education, creating populations comfortable with advanced communication tools.

Nordic and Western European countries also excel: Canada (92.0%), South Korea (93.8%), and Switzerland (90.0%) all exceed 90%. These nations combine universal internet access, quality devices, and strong digital literacy programs.

Countries Struggling with File Sharing

Many countries show file sharing rates below 30%, indicating populations that struggle with digital file transmission. Technical barriers include slow internet speeds, older devices, and expensive data plans that make file sharing impractical.

Countries like Malawi (1.5%), Pakistan (3.6%), and Sudan (2.4%) face significant infrastructure challenges. Limited internet access, basic devices, and low digital literacy create barriers that prevent most people from sharing files electronically.

What Drives File Sharing Success

Several factors determine file sharing success rates. Internet infrastructure is crucial—reliable, fast connections are essential for uploading and downloading files. Countries with slow or intermittent internet see lower usage because file sharing becomes frustrating.

Device capabilities matter significantly. Modern smartphones and computers handle attachments easily, while older devices may lack memory or compatible software. Digital literacy also plays a key role—understanding file formats and troubleshooting upload issues requires technical knowledge.

The Impact on Communication and Work

High file sharing usage transforms how societies communicate and collaborate. Workplaces become more efficient when employees can share documents and collaborate remotely. Educational systems benefit when students and teachers exchange materials digitally.

However, populations without file sharing skills face increasing exclusion. They miss remote work opportunities, struggle with digital education requirements, and find themselves isolated from communication networks that assume digital capabilities.

Future Outlook

The 2026 projections show continued growth in most countries. High performers like UAE (100%) and Canada (95.0%) represent populations where file sharing is universal. Mid-tier countries show strong growth potential, with several projected to exceed 70%.

However, significant gaps will persist. Countries facing infrastructure challenges or limited digital education will continue to lag. The digital communication divide between connected and disconnected populations remains a major global challenge.

People Who Send Files via Email or Messaging Apps by Country (%) – 2026

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#	Country	Email Attachment Rate - Latest Available Data (%)	Email Attachment Rate 2026 Estimate (%)
1	Brunei	96.7 (2022)	95%
2	Canada	92.0 (2022)	95%
3	Egypt	60.5 (2022)	95%
4	Mongolia	45.6 (2021)	95%
5	Oman	98.3 (2024)	95%
6	Saudi Arabia	99.5 (2023)	95%
7	South Korea	93.8 (2023)	95%
8	United Arab Emirates	100.0 (2023)	95%
9	Ireland	86.0 (2020)	92.3%
10	Switzerland	90.0 (2023)	92.1%
11	Hungary	68.9 (2013)	90.7%
12	Netherlands	89.6 (2022)	90.3%
13	Denmark	88.2 (2021)	90.2%
14	Russia	78.7 (2023)	90%
15	United Kingdom	77.9 (2013)	89%
16	Bahrain	86.9 (2023)	88.9%
17	Finland	77.5 (2013)	87.9%
18	Belgium	86.2 (2023)	87.6%
19	Iceland	84.3 (2013)	87.5%
20	Austria	71.1 (2013)	87.2%
21	Sweden	87.6 (2024)	87.2%
22	Malaysia	72.2 (2023)	86.9%
23	Luxembourg	88.2 (2023)	86.4%
24	Greece	76.8 (2023)	86.2%
25	Germany	79.6 (2021)	85.7%
26	Czech Republic	69.8 (2013)	84.6%
27	Uruguay	72.6 (2022)	83.5%
28	Slovenia	81.2 (2023)	83.3%
29	Norway	81.1 (2013)	82.4%
30	Malta	72.7 (2021)	79.8%
31	Singapore	69.8 (2023)	77.1%
32	Spain	60.2 (2013)	76.8%
33	Ukraine	40.5 (2021)	76.5%
34	France	71.7 (2013)	76.3%
35	Japan	72.4 (2022)	75.6%
36	Chile	65.0 (2023)	74.8%
37	Azerbaijan	66.1 (2023)	74.2%
38	Estonia	65.2 (2013)	73.4%
39	Indonesia	26.2 (2017)	72.7%
40	Kuwait	63.8 (2023)	71.7%
41	Italy	55.0 (2013)	70.1%
42	Portugal	53.1 (2013)	69.7%
43	Serbia	61.4 (2023)	68.8%
44	Hong Kong	66.0 (2023)	68.7%
45	Lithuania	58.8 (2016)	66.6%
46	Latvia	59.4 (2013)	66.2%
47	Croatia	57.5 (2016)	66.1%
48	Slovakia	66.4 (2024)	65.1%
49	Cyprus	48.8 (2013)	62.2%
50	Bulgaria	41.7 (2013)	61.8%
51	Poland	52.2 (2014)	61.6%
52	Qatar	58.7 (2020)	60.3%
53	North Macedonia	46.4 (2013)	56.4%
54	Kazakhstan	49.4 (2023)	55.2%
55	Morocco	41.5 (2021)	53.2%
56	Bosnia and Herzegovina	42.6 (2023)	51.3%
57	Georgia	37.7 (2023)	48.1%
58	Romania	45.5 (2020)	46.7%
59	Cuba	33.7 (2020)	44.5%
60	Cambodia	38.1 (2017)	43.8%
61	Türkiye	42.5 (2023)	43.8%
62	Curaçao	35.0 (2017)	40.2%
63	Bangladesh	35.5 (2023)	39.7%
64	Zimbabwe	26.5 (2020)	37.6%
65	Belarus	36.9 (2023)	36.6%
66	Colombia	42.1 (2023)	36.5%
67	Mauritius	31.7 (2020)	36.5%
68	Macau	39.5 (2021)	35%
69	Mexico	31.5 (2023)	29.5%
70	Vietnam	24.5 (2023)	28.9%
71	Brazil	31.3 (2023)	27.5%
72	Uzbekistan	24.1 (2022)	26.8%
73	Tunisia	21.2 (2019)	25.7%
74	Jamaica	23.6 (2021)	24.8%
75	Palestine	34.5 (2023)	24.6%
76	Botswana	19.9 (2014)	22.9%
77	South Africa	18.6 (2019)	21.4%
78	Peru	25.3 (2023)	20.5%
79	Jordan	16.9 (2023)	19.4%
80	Algeria	16.1 (2018)	18.5%
81	Djibouti	15.3 (2017)	17.6%
82	Thailand	17.2 (2020)	16.5%
83	Ivory Coast	12.5 (2023)	16%
84	Cape Verde	13.1 (2019)	15.1%
85	Bhutan	12.1 (2021)	13.9%
86	Dominican Republic	17.8 (2022)	13.2%
87	Ecuador	18.6 (2024)	12.3%
88	Iran	10.7 (2021)	10.4%
89	Niger	8.0 (2022)	9.4%
90	Lesotho	7.8 (2019)	9%
91	Philippines	6.9 (2019)	7.9%
92	Burundi	1.9 (2017)	4.7%
93	Pakistan	3.6 (2020)	3.7%
94	Togo	2.8 (2017)	3.2%
95	Sudan	2.4 (2016)	2.8%
96	Malawi	1.5 (2023)	1.7%
97	Iraq	8.2 (2022)	0%

Methodology and Data Sources

This analysis uses UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) data from ICT skills surveys across 97 countries (2010-2024). The data measures self-reported behavior among individuals aged 15-74 who send messages with attached files including documents, pictures, or videos.

The file sharing rate represents: (Number of people who send files via email/apps ÷ Total surveyed population aged 15-74) × 100. For example, 80% means 80 out of 100 people can successfully send files through email or messaging platforms.

Our dataset includes 78 countries (80%) with current data from 2020-2024, while 19 countries (20%) have older data from 2010-2019. For 2026 projections, we used linear regression for countries with multiple data points (82 countries, 85% of dataset) and regional growth models for single data points (15 countries).

Projections include growth dampening for high-performing countries (>80%) and older data (>5 years) to reflect market saturation. All estimates are capped at 95% to reflect realistic adoption limits. Survey methodologies follow UNESCO's standardized framework, though self-reported data may not reflect actual technical proficiency with complex file formats or troubleshooting abilities.