Ireland has been ranked 20th out of 86 countries around the world in the Web Index, a measure of the World Wide Web's contribution to social, economic and political progress.
The index is produced by the World Wide Web Foundation - the organisation founded by the inventor of the Web, Tim Berners-Lee.
The organisation seeks to establish the internet as a public good and basic right for everyone in the world.
The index gives Ireland a total value of 78 out of a maximum of 100. In the various categories, Ireland scores 87 for universal access, 70 for relevant content and 83 for freedom and openness, and 58 for empowerment.
The index is topped by Denmark, followed in second place by Finland and in third by Norway.
The 2014-2015 report also claims that web users are at increasing risk of indiscriminate government surveillance, with laws preventing bulk mass surveillance either weak or non-existent in over 84% of countries, up from 63% last year.
It also claims that online censorship is on the increase, with moderate or extensive Web censorship seen in 38% of countries over past year.
On the question of whether internet service providers and governments treat all data on the internet equally, known as net neutrality, the report finds it remains a rarity. A quarter of countries effectively enforce clear rules against commercial or political discrimination in the management of web traffic.
The report also finds that nearly two thirds of the world's population cannot get online, whilst half of all Web users live in countries that severely restrict their rights online.
4.3 billion people have no access to the Web at all, while at least 1.8 billion more face severe violations of their rights to privacy and freedom of expression when they go online.
"It's time to recognise the Internet as a basic human right. That means guaranteeing affordable access for all, ensuring Internet packets are delivered without commercial or political discrimination, and protecting the privacy and freedom of Web users regardless of where they live," said Tim Berners-Lee in a statement.
The index also shows that states with the highest levels of wealth and lowest levels of inequality gain most economically and socially from the digital revolution brought about by the Web.
