According to industry body the GSMA, 43% of the global population still does not use mobile internet, highlighting device affordability and digital skills as the main barriers.
The GSMA stated in its State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2024 report that this figure equates to 3.45 billion people. Around 160 million people started using mobile internet for the first time in 2023, a similar level to 2022, but down from 2015-21, when 200 million users were added annually.