According to the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Facts and Figures 2024 report, there will be 5.5 billion Internet users worldwide in 2024.
This represents a significant increase of 227 million individuals compared to revised figures for 2023.
The ITU is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs).
The report found out that while global connectivity continues to rise, now reaching 68 percent of the world’s population, about one-third of the population, or 2.6 billion people, remain offline.
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The report highlights persistent digital divides, particularly in low-income and least-developed countries, that continue to challenge the goal of universal connectivity.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin said: “Facts and Figures 2024 is 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.”
However, it was discovered that Internet usage remains closely tied to the level of development.
The report revealed the following statistics:
High-income countries: 93% of the population is online.
Low-income countries: Only 27% of the population has Internet access.
Least developed countries (LDCs): 35% of people are online.
Landlocked developing countries (LLDCs): 39% of the population is connected.
Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, emphasized the urgency of accelerating progress, saying: “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.”
Key Findings in Facts and Figures 2024
Gender gap narrowing slowly: In 2024, 70% of men and 65% of women are online globally. While 189 million more men than women use the Internet, progress toward gender parity has been steady—except in LDCs.
The urban-rural divide persists: 83% of urban dwellers use the Internet compared to 48% of rural populations. Of the 2.6 billion offline people in 2024, 1.8 billion live in rural areas.
Youth lead Internet adoption: Globally, 79% of people aged 15-24 use the Internet, 13 percentage points higher than older populations. The generational gap, however, has been shrinking over the past four years.
Affordableness remains a challenge. In low-income countries, the cost of fixed broadband equals nearly a third of the average monthly income.
Mobile access is widespread but unequal. While over 80% of people globally own a mobile phone, ownership ranges from 95% in high-income countries to just 56% in low-income nations.
5G adoption varies widely: 5G coverage reaches 51 percent of the global population in 2024, but disparities persist—84 percent coverage in high-income countries versus 4 percent in low-income countries.
Internet traffic is growing strongly: 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.
The ITU report underscores the need for intensified efforts to bridge digital divides, ensure affordability, and bring meaningful connectivity to underserved populations.
