It is my pleasure to present ITU’s Global Connectivity Report 2025.
This year’s report comes at an important juncture for global digital cooperation, as the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November, marks over three decades of collective efforts by Member States, partners and communities to close connectivity gaps since the first WTDC in 1994. Over this period, connectivity has expanded dramatically and transformed economies and societies — yet many people are still not benefiting from it. At the same time, the very nature of connectivity has evolved, creating new needs and challenges that require renewed attention and action.
The Global Connectivity Report 2025 assesses the state of global connectivity and the progress towards meeting universal and meaningful connectivity (UMC). The findings point to sustained momentum, with Internet use expanding and divides between many socio-economic groups narrowing. Universal access is now within reach for most of the world’s population. Policy priorities must therefore gradually shift from basic access to improving the quality, reliability and affordability of connectivity so that everyone can participate fully in the digital society.
Building on this assessment, the report examines the factors that make connectivity meaningful. It analyses key enablers – regulation, infrastructure, affordability and digital skills – and proposes recommendations, including for improving data ecosystems to support evidence-based policymaking.
The Telecommunication Development Bureau helps countries address digital divides and pursue inclusive digital transformation. Among these efforts, the project Promoting and Measuring Universal and Meaningful Connectivity, financed by the European Union, promotes UMC as a policy imperative, improves the availability and quality of connectivity data, and identifies effective policies to advance progress towards UMC. This report, supported by the project, contributes directly to those outcomes. I wish to thank the European Union for its continued partnership.
As we look ahead to the implementation of the Baku Action Plan, we remain fully committed to strengthening our work with our Member States, partners and stakeholders to promote meaningful connectivity and digital transformation and ensure that no one is left behind.
Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava
Director
ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau