New study sheds light on digital development in ‘Least Developed Countries’
In March 2023, the International Telecommunication Union, the United Nations specialised agency for information and communications technologies, released a new report titled “Measuring Digital Development – Facts and Figures: Focus on Least Developed Countries” that provides an updated overview of the state of digital connectivity across “least developed countries” (LDCs). The report was prepared ahead of the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries.
Among the findings in the report is the fact that only 36% of people in LDCs were using the internet in 2022, compared to the global average of 66%. However, these averages conceal vast disparities between individual countries. For example, the internet penetration rate in Burundi was 5,8% compared to 68,9% in Djibouti.
Nevertheless, there has been significant growth in digital connectivity in recent years. Among the 33 African countries considered to be LDCs, the percentage of individuals using the internet increased from 3,1% in 2011 to 28,3% in 2022, while the percentage of individuals covered by a mobile cellular network increased from 75,8% in 2011 to 89,4% in 2022.
For more information, read the full report here.
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