Foreword

Foreword


Foreword of this year’s Facts and Figures by Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau

2 min
Internet use

Internet use


More than three-quarters of the world’s population are online.

2 min
The gender digital divide

The gender digital divide


Slow progress towards gender parity in Internet use

3 min
Youth Internet use

Youth Internet use


Universal Internet use has already been achieved among young people in many parts of the world

2 min
Internet use in urban and rural areas

Internet use in urban and rural areas


The urban–rural divide is narrowing but remains wide in regions with low Internet use

2 min
Mobile network coverage

Mobile network coverage


Six in ten people are covered by 5G, but spread is uneven

4 min
Mobile network coverage in urban and rural areas

Mobile network coverage in urban and rural areas


5G coverage continues to lag in rural areas

4 min
Subscriptions

Subscriptions


Four in ten mobile-broadband subscriptions are 5G subscriptions

3 min
Internet traffic

Internet traffic


Mobile broadband traffic is growing faster, but fixed networks still carry the majority of Internet data

3 min
Affordability of ICT services

Affordability of ICT services


Internet access prices continue to fall, but three in ten economies still do not meet the affordability target for the fixed or mobile broadband basket

3 min
Digital skills

Digital skills


Internet users' digital skills are uneven, with communication and collaboration skills being most widespread

2 min
Mobile phone ownership

Mobile phone ownership


More than four out of five people worldwide own a mobile phone

3 min
Data availability

Data availability


Significant data gaps continue to hamper evidence-based policy-making

3 min
Methodology

Methodology


How the data are collected, estimates made and aggregates calculated.

7 min
ITU Data Hub

ITU Data Hub


The world’s richest source of ICT statistics and regulatory information.

2 min