Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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November 17, 2025 Economic development
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) released a new report on Monday that documents impressive growth in the number of internet users, while also highlighting the deepening of digital divides.
According to the organization, over 240 million people connected to the global network last year, bringing the global population to approximately six billion—three-quarters of the entire global population. However, 2.2 billion remain offline, highlighting the scale of the challenge of ensuring universal and equitable digital accessibility.
Connection quality is a key factor
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin noted that modern life is impossible without digital technologies, meaning everyone should be able to use the internet. Connection quality is becoming a key factor: speed, reliability, accessibility, and skills determine whether people can benefit from digital opportunities.
The report presents the first estimates of 5G network subscriptions—approximately three billion, or a third of all mobile connections. Fifth-generation networks cover 55 percent of the world's population, but the distribution is extremely uneven: in high-income countries, 84 percent of residents have access to 5G, while in low-income countries, only four percent do. Furthermore, users in wealthy countries generate almost eight times more mobile traffic than those in poorer regions, clearly demonstrating the gap in quality.
Accessibility issues
Equally important is the issue of accessibility. Although the average price of mobile internet has generally fallen, in 60 percent of low- and middle-income countries it remains unaffordable for a significant portion of the population. Furthermore, most users possess only basic digital skills, while more complex skills—from maintaining a secure online environment to content creation—are developing more slowly.
Cosmas Lakison Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, stressed that achieving an inclusive and secure digital environment requires targeted investments in infrastructure, training, and data collection systems.
Digital demography
The report demonstrates how closely digital development is linked to economic level, gender differences, and location. In high-income countries, 94 percent of the population uses the internet, while in low-income countries, only 23 percent does. Most people who remain offline live in poor and developing regions.
Men are more likely to be online than women (77 percent versus 71 percent), and city dwellers are significantly more likely than rural residents (85 percent versus 58 percent). Young people aged 15–24 demonstrate the highest engagement: 82 percent of them are online, compared to 72 percent of the general population.
The ITU report not only documents progress in global digitalization but also reminds us of the need to focus on overcoming barriers. Without accessible infrastructure, fair prices, and digital skills development, millions of people risk being left on the fringes of the digital world.
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