More people than ever before are connecting to mobile internet. Today, 58% of the world’s population — 4.7 billion people — are using their own mobile device to get online. In low- and middle-income countries, or LMICs, mobile phones remain the primary — and often only — way people access the internet.
Since 2018, the GSMA’s State of Mobile Internet Connectivity report series has explored the trends and data shaping mobile internet connectivity and provided high-level recommendations for addressing key barriers to digital inclusion. The latest data shows that mobile internet adoption continues to rise. After two years of relatively slow growth, around 200 million people began using mobile internet on their own devices in 2024 — a rate of growth not seen since 2021. Almost 90% of this growth came from LMICs.
Despite this progress, the data also shows that there remain significant, persistent digital divides. Some 3.4 billion people remain offline — 300 million make up the coverage gap (those not covered by a mobile broadband network) and 3.1 billion make up the usage gap (those covered by a mobile broadband network but not using it). Those who are digitally excluded are more likely to be poorer, less educated, rural, persons with disabilities, or women — groups that stand to gain the most from connectivity.
The vast majority of those not using mobile internet live in areas covered by mobile broadband but face other barriers to use, such as lack of awareness of mobile internet and what it has to offer, affordability of an internet-enabled handset and data, low levels of literacy or digital skills, lack of relevant content and services, as well as safety and security concerns. Women and persons with disabilities tend to experience barriers to digital inclusion more acutely due to existing disparities in access to education and income, as well as restrictive social norms.
Why connectivity matters
Tackling these barriers and closing the digital divide would be life-changing for millions. Mobile internet unlocks access to health care, education, financial services, and e-commerce, while boosting incomes, reducing poverty, and improving well-being. Mobile internet benefits not only individuals but entire economies. The GSMA has estimated that from 2023 to 2030, closing the usage gap would provide an additional $3.5 trillion in gross domestic product, or GDP. Closing the gender gap in mobile internet adoption in LMICs would provide $1.3 trillion in additional GDP.
The state of mobile internet connectivity
Mobile internet use continues to increase, and the GSMA’s latest data shows that 96% of the world’s population lives in areas covered by a mobile broadband network. Those who are still not covered by mobile broadband — around 300 million people, or 4% of the world’s population — remain the hardest to reach.
On the other hand, 38% of the world’s population — 3.1 billion people — do live in areas covered by mobile broadband but do not use it. Closing this usage gap is critical to accelerating digital inclusion.
Connectivity varies significantly by and within regions and countries
It is vital to look beyond the high-level connectivity numbers to understand who is not connected and where to target efforts. The majority — 93% — of those not using mobile internet live in LMICs. There are significant regional differences, however. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region with the lowest mobile internet usage, with only 25% of the population accessing the internet from a mobile device. Within countries, there are also notable digital divides. For instance, in LMICs, adults in rural areas are 25% less likely than those living in urban areas to use mobile internet, while women are 14% less likely than men to use mobile internet — and progress on closing the mobile internet gender gap has stalled. These gaps result in women and rural populations being less likely to benefit from mobile internet, leaving them behind in the increasingly digital age — and further entrenching inequities.
Handset affordability and literacy and digital skills continue to be key barriers to mobile internet adoption
Among individuals who are aware of mobile internet but have not yet started using it, two key barriers consistently emerge: affordability, particularly of internet-enabled handsets; and literacy and digital skills.
Of those who are not using mobile internet despite living in areas covered by mobile broadband, two-thirds don’t yet own a mobile phone, and almost one-third own a device but do not or cannot use it to access the internet. The reality is that many can’t afford a device — and don’t have the skills or confidence to use it. To help highlight the scale of the affordability challenge, in sub-Saharan Africa, home to a quarter of the world’s unconnected population, an entry-level internet-enabled handset accounts for 87% of average monthly income for the poorest 20%. Addressing handset affordability is crucial for bridging the digital divide, maximizing business opportunities and empowering all people to participate fully in the global digital economy.
Looking beyond basic mobile internet adoption to use
It is important to ensure people are not only able to adopt mobile internet but also use it regularly and for a range of use cases that meet their needs. While most mobile internet users use it every day, usage is often limited to only one or two activities. For those who have already started to use mobile internet, the top barriers to further use vary by country, but commonly reported barriers are safety and security concerns, affordability (particularly of data but also handsets), and the connectivity experience.
What needs to be done?
Significant digital divides persist, demanding coordinated, targeted action by all stakeholders to ensure no one is being left behind in our increasingly connected world. With the vast majority of those not using mobile internet covered by mobile broadband networks but facing other barriers to use, more is needed to address the usage gap. Closing the digital divide requires deliberate, focused efforts to address these barriers, ensuring that everyone can access and effectively use mobile internet.
Download The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2025 report series for the latest trends and insights on global mobile internet adoption, barriers and opportunities for digital inclusion at www.gsma.com/somic
Missed the GSMA’s recent webinar? Watch the recording to hear the authors share the key findings from this year’s reports, followed by fireside chats with mobile network operators who share their reactions to the findings: https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/mobile-for-development/gsma_resources/webinar-the-state-of-mobile-internet-connectivity-2025/
The GSMA’s Connected Society program is currently funded by UK International Development from the U.K. government and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and is supported by the GSMA and its members. The research in The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity report series is also funded in part by the GSMA as well as the Gates Foundation.
About the author
Claire Sibthorpe
Claire Sibthorpe is head of Digital Inclusion in the Mobile for Development team at the GSMA. She has been working for over 25 years with public, private, and international development organisations on social policy and service delivery with a focus on information and communications technology policy and practice. She has developed, managed, and implemented programs in Africa, Asia, and the U.K. Claire holds a Master of Science in Social Research Methods and another Master of Science in Social Policy and Planning in Developing Countries from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
