In 2022, a third of the world’s population still does not have access to the Internet, according to the UN


When in one area of ​​the world, we try to create a virtual world in which to live, elsewhere it is still impossible to connect to the Internet. This is revealed in a report by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a UN agency specializing in information and communication technologies. Published on Friday, September 16, 2022, we learn that 2.7 billion people, or a third of humanity, remain disconnected from the Internet. If the report indicates a certain increase in access to the post-pandemic web, it also notes a severe disparity by continent. The goal of connecting all of humanity by 2030 therefore seems increasingly out of reach.

Major challenges to overcome

“The Covid-19 pandemic has given us a big boost in connectivity, but we need to build on this momentum to ensure that everyone, everywhere can benefit from digital technologies and services.ITU General Secretary Houlin Zhao said in the statement. This can only be done by investing more in digital networks and technologies, implementing regulation based on best practices and continuing to focus on skills development, as we enter an era post-pandemic.” For the ITU, there are still “major challenges” : accessibility and connectivity.

According to the report, people who are still completely disconnected today live in remote places, preventing optimal facilities to guarantee Internet access. But the challenge is also to make the connection “regular and efficient”. The ITU cites as an example “the slowness of the internet, limited affordability of hardware and subscriptions, insufficient digital awareness and skills, language barriers and illiteracy, as well as issues such as discrimination based on gender or the absence of a reliable source of energy”.

The UN branch also notes a drastic disparity in connectivity between continents. Unsurprisingly, Africa is the least provided region with only 40% of its population benefiting from a connection to the web. Asia-Pacific follows (64%), slightly behind the Arab countries (70%). Americas and Commonwealth countries rank second ex aequo with 80%, just behind Europe at the top of the podium (89% of its population connected).

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