Global internet access jumps to 2.6 billion in 2023,but data shows digital divide persists

By Onome Amuge.

As of 2023, the number of the global population without internet access has dropped to approximately 2.6 billion, down from 2.7 billion in 2022, indicating a significant progress in global internet connectivity,according to the latest data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

ITU’s data highlights that 67 per cent of the world’s population, equivalent to 5.4 billion people, are now online. This statistic underscores the widespread adoption of the internet across the globe, with billions of individuals benefiting from digital access.

However, while this reduction marks a step in the right direction, a substantial portion of the global population, approximately 33 percent of the global population are still unconnected, highlighted ITU.

According to the United Nations specialised agency for information and communication technologies, the digital divide remains a formidable challenge, especially in low-income countries, where the growth in internet connectivity has been most pronounced, with less than one-third of the population enjoying online access.

“While there has been a reported 17 per cent increase in internet users in these regions over the past year, the majority of citizens in these countries are still disconnected from the digital world,” the report noted.

The report also indicated that the double-digit growth in internet connectivity observed during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has not sustained. It showed further that current trends, though positive, are not robust enough to guarantee universal and meaningful connectivity for all by 2030.

Commenting on the report,Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, director of ITU’s telecommunication development bureau, stressed that millions of people, especially in low-income countries, are missing out on the life-changing benefits that internet access can provide in this era of digital transformation.

Zavazava pointed out that the data underscores the need for more than just connectivity, adding that alongside expanding internet access, there is a pressing need to equip users with digital skills. These skills, he said, are essential for individuals to unlock the full potential of the internet and navigate the online world safely.

Also reacting to the report,Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU secretary-general, described the improvement in connectivity as another step in the right direction, and one more step towards leaving no one behind in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

 “We won’t rest until we live in a world where meaningful connectivity is a lived reality for everyone, everywhere,” Bogdan-Martin said.