Core Insights - The International Telecommunication Union's report highlights significant improvements in global digital connectivity, but persistent imbalances remain [1][2][3][4] Digital Connectivity Trends - Global internet usage is projected to reach 74% by 2025, equating to nearly 6 billion people, an increase of 3 percentage points from 2024, although the growth rate is slowing [1] - Approximately 2.2 billion people remain completely offline, primarily in low-income and rural areas, with internet penetration rates of only 34% and 38% in least developed and landlocked developing countries, respectively [1][2] Gender and Income Disparities - The gender gap in digital connectivity remains largely unchanged, with male internet usage at 77% and female at 71%, a 6 percentage point difference [2] - In low-income countries, the gap widens to 29% for men and 18% for women [2] - Internet penetration in high-income countries is 94%, compared to just 23% in low-income countries, a fourfold difference [2] Mobile Broadband Coverage - Global mobile broadband coverage has reached 96%, but the last 4% remains difficult to connect, with only a 6 percentage point increase since 2018 [1] - 5G network coverage exceeds 55% globally, but only 4% in low-income countries, with significant regional disparities [3] Pricing and Affordability Issues - Although mobile data costs have decreased, about one-third of economies have not met the target of mobile data costs being less than 2% of income [4] - In low-income countries, fixed broadband costs account for approximately 28% of income, while in high-income countries, this figure is around 1% [4] - The affordability of mobile broadband is a critical barrier to internet access in low-income regions, where mobile broadband costs represent 5.3% of income in Africa, exceeding the global average of 1.4% [4]