03 December 2024
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) reports that 227 million new people connected to the internet for the first time in 2024, bringing the total number of connected people to over 5.5 billion.
This figure accounts for 68% of the global population, meaning that a third of the world’s population (2.6 billion) remains offline as the stubborn digital divide persists. For comparison, in 2023, there were 2.8 billion unconnected people, equivalent to around 35% of the population.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin said the figures highlight “a tale of two digital realities between high-income and low-income countries.”
“Stark gaps in critical connectivity indicators are cutting off the most vulnerable people from online access to information, education, and employment opportunities. This report is a reminder that true progress in our interconnected world isn’t just about how fast we move forward, but about making sure everyone moves forward together,” said Bogdan-Martin.
“The world is inching towards universal access at a time when it should be sprinting,” said Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau.
The report found that 70% of men used the internet in 2024 compared to 65% of women, a gap of around 189 million. However, progress is being made towards achieving gender parity.
Affordability is improving, with the cost of fixed broadband in low-income countries now equating to nearly a third of average monthly income. Around four out of five people aged over 10 own a mobile phone, but this is more prevalent in high-income countries—where 95% of those over 10 possess a mobile phone—compared to just 56% in low-income markets.
A more significant divide exists between urban and rural dwellers, with 83% of urban residents using the internet compared to only 48% of rural inhabitants. Of the 2.6 billion people who remain unconnected, 1.8 billion live in rural areas.
5G coverage is estimated to reach 51% of the global population this year, but significant disparities persist between high- and low-income countries. While 84% of people in high-income nations are covered by 5G, only 4% have access in low-income countries. The average monthly mobile broadband traffic per subscription in high-income nations (16.2GB) is eight times higher than in low-income economies (2GB).
“While we continue to make progress on connectivity, our advances mask significant gaps in the world’s most vulnerable communities, where digital exclusion makes life even more challenging. We must intensify our efforts to remove the barriers that keep people offline and close the usage gap. We must renew our commitment to achieving universal and meaningful connectivity so that everyone can access the internet,” said Zavazava.
