The poll of 19,216 adults in 24 countries, carried out for Reuters, shows that 59% have used the Web to 'check bank account and other financial holdings' in the last 90 days.

Swedes top the table, with 88% banking online, while more than 70% in France, Canada, Australia, Poland and South Africa also use the Web. In contrast, only 23% of Mexicans bank through the Internet, 29% of Saudi Arabians and 32% of Brazilians.

The most likely to check their bank accounts online are connected 'global citizens' who have a high household income (69%), high education (66%) and are between the ages of 50-64 (65%).

Nearly half of respondents have also bought something online, with 61% at least using the Web to research purchases. The UK and Germany has the highest percentage of online shoppers (74%), just ahead of Sweden, the US and South Korea.