E-commerce, online banking and consumption of digital mediums is remarkably advanced in Iran with 67% of respondents using the internet for researching information, 65% for reading news website, 64% for online banking, 49% for downloading music, 44% for social networking and 43% for shopping online.

This infographic entitled Digital Iran 2012 was released by Chimigi, Iran’s first online research panel, based on a survey which benchmarks Iranian consumers on their Internet and mobile usage. The sample included 750 respondents who currently live in Iran and was fielded between September 20^th and 23^rd, 2012.

It is also clear through this infographic that Iranians are following the global shift towards a heavy usage of mobile phones, as Nokia leads with 42%, Samsung comes in second (20%), followed by Sony Ericsson (16%), HTC (10%), and Apple (9%). Nearly half of respondents own a smartphone (46%).

Chimigi’s online panel currently consists of a highly educated audience, 73% of which possess a bachelors degree or higher (19% hold a masters degree). It is also a young population, 26% being between 18-24 years of age and 50% between 25-34.

Click the image below to see a larger version (or see it here).