Digital divide still deepening in metrics such as speed, reliability, affordability and skills
According to the ITU’s Facts and Figures 2025 report, roughly 6 billion people – about three-quarters of the world’s population – are using the Internet in 2025, up from a revised estimate of 5.8 billion in 2024. The number of unconnected people dropped from a revised estimate of 2.3 billion in 2024 to 2.2 billion in 2025.
- While connectivity numbers show progress in getting more people online, the report shows that digital development remains closely linked to economic development, gender, and location, which means several digital divides persist despite the growth in connections.
- For example, 94% of people in high-income countries use the Internet, in contrast to only 23% in low-income countries. In fact, the report notes, 96% of those offline live in low- and middle-income countries.
-”Forsway is working closely with partners in key regions around the globe to enable the roll-out of affordable, reliable access to satellite-based broadband to connect rural communities to educational, health, critical information services as well as popular streaming content,” say Anders Brandter at Forsway.
Read more about the digital divide in the ITU’s Facts and Figures 2025 report.