The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has reported that approximately 5.5 billion people worldwide will be online by the end of 2024, marking a 227 million increase from the previous year. This growth reflects progress toward digital inclusion, but the ITU’s Facts and Figures 2024 report also highlights the enduring digital divide, especially in low-income countries, where access to the Internet remains limited.
Key Findings:
- Global Internet Access: As of 2024, 68% of the global population is online, but 2.6 billion people remain offline. The disparity is stark between high-income and low-income countries, with 93% of people in wealthier nations having access to the Internet, compared to just 27% in lower-income countries.
- Urban vs. Rural Divide: Internet usage in urban areas is 83%, while it drops to 48% in rural areas. Of the 2.6 billion offline individuals, 1.8 billion live in rural regions, underscoring the need for improved connectivity infrastructure in these areas.
- Gender and Age Gaps: While more men (70%) use the Internet compared to women (65%) globally, the gender gap is more pronounced in least-developed countries. Additionally, younger people, particularly those aged 15-24, are more likely to be online (79%) compared to the broader population (66%).
- Affordability Challenges: Although Internet access is becoming cheaper globally, affordability remains a significant issue in low-income countries. In some of these nations, a fixed broadband subscription can cost nearly one-third of the average monthly income, limiting access for many.
- Mobile Connectivity: Mobile phone ownership has reached 80% globally for individuals aged 10 and above. However, in low-income countries, only 56% of people own a mobile phone, compared to over 95% in high-income economies. This gap affects mobile Internet access, a crucial factor in connectivity.
- 5G Accessibility: Global 5G coverage is estimated at 51% in 2024, but only 4% of people in low-income countries have access to the technology, compared to 84% in high-income nations. This highlights the unequal distribution of advanced mobile network technology.
- Internet Traffic Disparities: While global Internet traffic continues to grow, the average mobile broadband traffic per subscription in high-income countries is eight times higher than in low-income economies, further exacerbating the gap in digital usage.
Calls for Action
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasized that the digital divide represents “a tale of two digital realities” between high and low-income countries. She stressed that vulnerable populations are being left behind, missing out on critical opportunities for education, employment, and information.
Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, called for accelerated efforts to eliminate barriers to Internet access and achieve universal connectivity. “The world is inching towards universal access when it should be sprinting,” Zavazava remarked.
Nigeria’s Connectivity Challenges
In Nigeria, with a population of over 200 million, 132 million active mobile Internet connections were recorded as of September 2024, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). However, this number may include individuals with multiple connections, suggesting fewer than 100 million Nigerians have access to the Internet. Acknowledging the wide connectivity gap, the Nigerian government has launched a nationwide fiber optic project, aiming to lay an additional 90,000 kilometers of fiber cables to improve connectivity across the country.
The ITU’s report underscores the need for ongoing global efforts to bridge the digital divide, especially in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, where access to digital technologies is still limited.
