衡量数字发展-事实和数字（英）-31页_3mb

Summary of Measuring Digital Development: Facts and Figures 2021

Core Content

Measuring Digital Development: Facts and Figures 2021 is a comprehensive report by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that provides insights into global digital development trends. It highlights the progress made in internet access, the persistent digital divide, and the importance of affordability and digital skills in bridging this gap.

Main Points

• Internet Penetration Growth

  • As of 2021, approximately 4.9 billion people (63%) are online, representing an increase of 17% from 2019.
  • The global internet user base grew by 800 million between 2019 and 2021, with the largest increases in developing countries.
  • The growth rate in 2021 was 5.8%, returning to pre-pandemic levels.
  • Internet penetration in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and LDCs increased by over 20% on average.

• Digital Divide

  • Despite progress, 2.9 billion people remain offline, with 96% of them living in developing countries.
  • There is a significant urban-rural gap: internet users in urban areas are twice as likely to be online compared to rural areas.
  • In Africa, only 15% of rural populations are online, and 30% lack mobile broadband coverage.
  • The digital gender gap has narrowed, but women still lag behind men in internet usage, with 57% of women versus 62% of men using the internet globally.

• Broadband Subscriptions

  • Fixed broadband subscriptions reached 17 per 100 inhabitants globally in 2021, up from 14 in 2020.
  • Mobile broadband subscriptions increased to 83 per 100 inhabitants in 2021, with the strongest growth in the Asia-Pacific (10.5%), CIS (7.0%), and Africa (6.7%) regions.
  • In LDCs, fixed broadband subscriptions remain low at 1.4 per 100 inhabitants.

• Affordability of Connectivity

  • The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development aims for broadband prices to be less than 2% of GNI per capita by 2025.
  • In 2020, less than half of the economies met this target for mobile broadband, and fewer than half for fixed broadband.
  • In LDCs, the median price for entry-level broadband remains unaffordable for most consumers.

• Mobile Phone Ownership

  • Mobile phones are becoming ubiquitous, with over 90% of the population owning one in almost half of the countries.
  • Gender parity in mobile phone ownership is being achieved in many regions, though disparities persist in some countries.
  • Mobile phone ownership is a key enabler for digital inclusion and empowerment, especially for women.

• Digital Skills

  • Digital skills are critical for meaningful internet use.
  • Only 40% of individuals in 40% of countries reported having basic ICT skills (e.g., sending emails with attachments).
  • Standard ICT skills (e.g., creating presentations) are less common, with less than 40% of individuals in 70% of countries using them.
  • Advanced ICT skills (e.g., writing computer programs) are even rarer, with only 15% of countries reporting over 10% of individuals with such skills.

Key Information

• Global Internet Usage: 63% of the population is online in 2021, with 2.9 billion still offline.
• Regional Growth: The Asia-Pacific and Africa regions saw the highest growth in internet users between 2019 and 2021.
• Connectivity Gaps:
  • Urban-rural gap: 2x higher internet usage in urban areas.
  • Gender gap: 62% of men vs. 57% of women use the internet.
• Mobile Broadband Coverage: 95% of the world's population has access to a mobile broadband network, but 18% of Africa's rural population remains unconnected.
• Affordability Challenges:
  • Only 4 out of 43 LDCs meet the 2% GNI per capita broadband affordability target.
  • Fixed broadband affordability is even worse, with only 1 LDC meeting the target.
• ICT Skills:
  • Basic ICT skills are reported by less than 40% of individuals in many countries.
  • Standard and advanced skills are even less common, indicating a need for targeted skills development programs.

Conclusion

While internet access has improved significantly, especially in developing regions, the digital divide remains a pressing issue. Bridging this divide requires not only expanding connectivity but also addressing affordability and enhancing digital skills. The report underscores the importance of data-driven policies and international cooperation to achieve universal and meaningful digital inclusion by 2030.