Measuring Digital Development - Facts and Figures 2021

Approximately 4.9 billion people – or 63 per cent of the world’s population – are using the Internet in 2021[1]. This represents an increase of 17 per cent since 2019, with 782 million people estimated to have come online during that period. Of the 2.9 billion people offline, 96 per cent live in developing countries. These are just some of the insights that can be found in the 2021 edition of Facts and Figures, ITU’s annual global assessment of digital connectivity. It features estimates for key connectivity indicators for the world, global regions, and several country groupings, including the UN-designated Least Developed Countries. The Facts and Figures series sheds light on the multiple facets and evolving nature of the digital divide and takes stock of the progress towards closing it. It serves as a powerful advocacy tool in efforts to put digital development at the top of the agendas of policymakers and of the development community.