Exploring the Global State of Internet Poverty in 2024

According to the latest Internet Poverty Index (IPI) report, Internet poverty—those unable to afford the most basic package of mobile Internet services—has decreased by a third in Asia and by 14% globally in the past 12 months.

What is the Internet Poverty Index

The Internet Poverty Index (IPI) uses a robust methodology to identify individuals living in Internet poverty. For each country, a quality and quantity-adjusted Internet price estimated for a standardized basket—1 GB per month at 10 Mbps. The prices are adjusted to reflect a consistent level of quality to facilitate cross-country comparisons. The country-level Internet price is then compared against the spending power of individuals within that country, with those that would have to direct more than 10% of their aggregate daily expenditure towards the basket deemed Internet poor.

Poverty Levels Vary By Region

Asia has seen the most considerable improvement, with Internet poverty numbers dropping from 418 million in 2023 to 252 million in 2024. This reduction is primarily driven by progress in countries like India, which has dramatically reduced its internet-poor population by 133 million, and Indonesia, which has experienced a 26% reduction in Internet prices.

In contrast, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most challenging region for addressing Internet poverty, increasing from 523 million in 2023 to 545 million in 2024. Namibia saw significant price reductions (36%), yet the impact on Internet poverty was limited. This suggests that while lowering prices is essential, broader economic and infrastructural improvements are required to achieve lasting results.

Countries like Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mozambique are among the hardest hit, with Internet poverty rates exceeding 80%. In Chad, for instance, the share of the population living in Internet poverty surged from 85% in 2023 to an alarming 96.3% in 2024. These figures underscore the urgent need for solutions that address both affordability and infrastructure issues in these regions and tailored approaches that consider each country’s specific challenges and opportunities.

Meanwhile, Latin America presents a varied picture. Brazil saw an increase of 22 million people in Internet poverty, driven by rising costs and economic challenges. In contrast, Mexico reduced its Internet-poor population by 8 million.

Strategies to Reduce Internet Poverty

Addressing Internet poverty requires a multifaceted approach that targets various dimensions of the issue.

• While not a standalone solution, economic growth plays a crucial role in reducing Internet poverty by raising household incomes and making Internet access more affordable, especially in low-income regions.
• Lowering the cost of Internet services is another essential step, which can be achieved through regulatory measures, increased competition, and investments in affordable technologies.
• Equally important is investing in robust Internet infrastructure to expand coverage, improve speeds, and reduce latency, making Internet services more reliable and accessible.
• Additionally, enhancing digital skills is vital to ensure individuals can effectively use the Internet to improve their lives. Digital literacy initiatives, particularly in underserved areas, can help bridge the gap and maximize the benefits of connectivity.

Although significant progress has been made, reducing Internet poverty will require a coordinated effort among governments, the private sector, and international organizations, focusing on affordability, infrastructure, and quality.

The Internet Poverty Index was established and is run by the World Data Lab with support from the Internet Society Foundation.

Isabell Roitner-Fransecky is a Data Scientist at World Data Lab.

The views expressed by the authors of this blog are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Internet Society.