ITU Report Notes Nearly Half the World is Online


BENGALURU: According to a new report from the United Nation's International Telecommunication Union (ITU), about 47 pct of the world’s population is online. Almost half of the world's population is using internet as mobile networks grow and prices fall, with their count remaining concentrated in the developed world. According to the report, there are almost as many mobile-cellular subscriptions around the world as there are people on Earth at this point, but the value is variable since many people have multiple subscriptions or devices.

The report also says that while 80 pct of population in developed countries uses the internet, only about 40 pct in developing countries and less than 15 pct in less-developed countries are online. About 3.9 billion people online around the world are reported to be disproportionately female, elderly, less educated, lower income, and rural. The report also notes that a lot of people around the world still don't use a mobile phone where as in developing countries; about 20 pct of the population doesn't have one.

With the available resources and desire, almost everyone globally could be connected to the Internet. About 95 pct of the global population lives in an area that is covered by a mobile signal, but while most people have access to Internet services, many don't actually use them due to high or unaffordable prices.

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