Kehinde Fajobi
An estimated 5.5 billion people are using the Internet in 2024, according to the Facts and Figures 2024 report by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
This marks an increase of 227 million users compared to revised figures from 2023, bringing global connectivity to 68% of the world’s population.
However, the report highlights that about one-third of the population, or 2.6 billion people, remain offline, with stark digital divides persisting in low-income and least-developed countries.
“Facts and Figures 2024 is a tale of two digital realities between high-income and low-income countries,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin.
“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.”
Internet usage remains closely tied to development levels:
High-income countries: 93% of the population is online.
Low-income countries: Only 27% have Internet access.
Least-developed countries (LDCs): 35% are connected.
Landlocked developing countries (LLDCs): 39% of people are online.
Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, stressed the urgency of bridging these divides.
“The world is inching towards universal access at a time that it should be sprinting. 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 barriers and renew our commitment to achieving universal and meaningful connectivity,” he said.
Key Findings
Gender Gap: In 2024, 70% of men and 65% of women globally use the Internet, with progress toward gender parity slowing in LDCs.
Urban vs Rural: 83% of urban dwellers are online, compared to 48% in rural areas. Of the 2.6 billion offline people, 1.8 billion live in rural regions.
Youth Adoption: Globally, 79% of people aged 15-24 use the Internet, 13 percentage points higher than older age groups.
Affordability Issues: In low-income countries, fixed broadband costs nearly a third of the average monthly income.
Mobile Access: Over 80% of people globally own a mobile phone, but ownership ranges from 95% in high-income countries to just 56% in low-income nations.
5G Coverage: While 51% of the global population is covered by 5G, the disparity is glaring—84% in high-income countries versus 4% in low-income nations.
Internet Traffic: Average monthly mobile broadband usage per subscription is 16.2 GB in high-income economies, eight times higher than 2 GB in low-income countries.