Internet Population in Russia Expanding Fast

comScore, Inc. (SCOR), today released the results of a study of the online behavior of European Internet audiences based on data from the comScore World Metrix audience measurement service.

The study shows Russia forecasts as the fastest-growing Internet population on the continent with 17.5 million visitors, up 27% from a year ago. The country’s internet community expansion in recent years continues to exceed forecasts.

France came in second, up 21% y/y, with 31.5 million visitors. Followed by Spain’s 16.2 million visitors, up 15%. Ireland came in fourth with 1.6 million visits, up 15%.

The total number of European Internet users, notes comScore - increased 8% during the past year to 241.8 million visitors in June 2008.

In terms of Internet penetration by country, the Netherlands, had a high adoption rate with 82% of the country’s total population age 15 and older going online in June ‘08. Adoption rates were also high in the Nordic countries, starting with Denmark, Sweden , Norway and Finland. According to report, U.K. Internet users spent the greatest amount of time online averaging 28.5 hours per user per month.