What is Digital Equity and Why It Matters

Digital equity refers to the condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in society, democracy, and the economy . In simpler terms, it means everyone can access and use digital technologies (like the internet, devices, and apps) to improve their daily lives. Achieving digital equity is essential for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services . Without equitable access, certain groups are left behind in education, job opportunities, healthcare information, civic engagement, and other vital aspects of modern life. This is why closing the digital gap – often called the “digital divide” – matters not just for individuals, but for societal well-being and economic development.

The digital divide is commonly defined as the gap between those who have affordable access, skills, and support to effectively engage online and those who do not. This gap persists along socioeconomic, geographic, and demographic lines, preventing equal participation in the digital age . Addressing digital equity is about ensuring that all communities – especially disadvantaged groups such as people in rural areas, low-income households, racial minorities, the elderly, and people with disabilities – can benefit fully from digital technologies. In an era when everything from job applications to government services and education has moved online, digital inclusion has become a fundamental prerequisite for social inclusion and economic opportunity .

The Global Digital Divide: Extent and Trends

Significant progress has been made in expanding internet access worldwide, but global connectivity remains uneven. As of 2025, roughly 6 billion people – about 74% of the world’s population – are online, up from 5.8 billion (71%) in 2024 . In other words, about one-quarter of humanity (2.2 billion people) still lives offline without internet access. The offline population has been shrinking gradually (down from 2.3 billion in 2024), yet the goal of universal connectivity is far from realized . Importantly, the simple binary of “online vs. offline” masks deeper disparities in quality of access, such as connection speeds, reliability, and usage skills, which increasingly define today’s digital divides .

Geographical and economic disparities are striking. Internet use remains closely tied to a country’s income level and region. In high-income countries, internet adoption is nearing saturation at about 94% of the population, whereas in low-income countries only 23% of people are online . This means the opportunity to benefit from digital technology is vastly lower in poorer countries. Nearly 96% of all people still offline live in low- and middle-income countries , highlighting the global inequity.

At a regional level, the differences are stark as well. In parts of Europe, North America, and the Commonwealth of Independent States (former Soviet countries), roughly 88%–93% of the population uses the Internet – effectively close to universal among those who want access . The Americas overall (North and South) also have around 90% internet usage. In contrast, usage in the Asia-Pacific region is about 77% and in the Arab States ~70%, roughly around the world average . Africa lags far behind with only about 36% of its population online . Among the least developed countries (LDCs), internet usage is just 34%, and in landlocked developing countries it’s about 38% – indicating that in the poorest and more geographically isolated nations, only about one in three people has internet access. While these lower-income regions are seeing internet user growth rates of 5–7% per year (higher than growth in richer regions), at the current pace the gap will not close for decades .

Table 1 below summarizes internet penetration by region, illustrating this global digital divide:

Table 1: Internet Penetration by Region (2025)

RegionShare of Population Online (2025)
High-Income Countries94% 
Low-Income Countries23% 
Europe & CIS (avg.)~90% 
Americas (avg.)~88–90% 
Asia-Pacific77% 
Arab States70% 
Africa36% 
Least Developed Countries34% 
Landlocked Developing Countries38% 

As the table and figures indicate, some regions are nearing universal internet access while others remain highly disconnected. Developed regions like Europe and North America enjoy near-saturation levels of connectivity, whereas vast swathes of sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Asia have a majority of people offline. This uneven progress is also evident within regions and countries – for example, in large emerging economies like India and Indonesia, hundreds of millions are connected but tens of millions still lack access .

Figure 1: Global Internet Usage by Region (2024). This map illustrates regional disparities in internet penetration. Darker shades indicate higher internet use (in Northern America and most of Europe, over 90% of the population is online), whereas lighter areas show low connectivity (parts of Africa and South Asia have less than half the population online). These gaps underscore the ongoing digital divide between more connected and less connected regions. The United Nations has set ambitious targets for universal connectivity – for example, aiming for universal internet access by 2030 – but current trends suggest many regions, especially low-income and rural areas, are not on track to meet those goals .

Beyond geography, the digital divide also exists within countries, following lines of urbanization, gender, age, and other demographics. Globally, urban residents are far more likely to be online (about 85% urban adoption) than rural residents (around 58%), reflecting infrastructure and service availability in cities vs. remote areas . There is also a persistent gender gap: about 77% of men worldwide use the internet, compared to 71% of women, meaning women and girls often have less access to digital tools . This gender digital divide is slowly narrowing over time, but remains significant, especially in developing countries. Age is another factor: youth tend to be more connected – 82% of people aged 15–24 are online globally, compared to 72% of those 25 and older . Educational and income disparities within nations lead to differences in digital access as well. For instance, in the U.S. and other countries, low-income and less-educated households are much less likely to have broadband at home than higher-income households . All these statistics reinforce that digital inequity is a multifaceted issue – not only a gap between countries, but also between rural and urban areas, between rich and poor, between men and women, and between the young and old. Bridging these gaps requires tackling a range of underlying barriers.

Key Challenges Contributing to Digital Inequity

Several interrelated challenges contribute to digital inequity and the persistent digital divide :

  • Infrastructure Gaps: In many regions (especially rural or remote areas), there is a lack of reliable internet infrastructure. This includes the absence of broadband networks, cell towers, or fiber-optic cables needed for high-speed connectivity. Remote and sparsely populated areas are often left unserved because laying fiber or other infrastructure is expensive and less profitable for providers . This results in slower or no internet access for rural communities. Even within wealthy countries, “digital deserts” exist in rural areas with limited broadband options.
  • Affordability: The cost of internet service, data plans, and devices is a major barrier for low-income individuals and communities . Even where infrastructure is available, many cannot afford monthly broadband fees or the upfront cost of smartphones, computers, and other equipment. High pricing relative to income leads to millions being effectively priced out of internet access. According to affordability benchmarks, broadband in many developing countries remains far above the recommended <2% of monthly income for the poorest users . Affordable access is thus a core component of digital equity.
  • Digital Literacy and Skills: Having access is not enough if people lack the skills to use digital technologies effectively. Digital literacy – the ability to find, understand, evaluate, create, and communicate information via digital tools – is unevenly distributed . Many individuals, especially older adults or those with limited education, are not comfortable with using computers or navigating the internet. Lack of training and awareness can prevent people from benefiting even when connectivity is available. For example, someone might have a smartphone and data plan but not know how to use online banking, job application sites, or information resources. Improving digital skills is therefore crucial for meaningful inclusion.
  • Accessibility: People with disabilities often face additional barriers if technology is not designed with their needs in mind . Websites and apps may not be compatible with screen readers for the visually impaired, video content may lack captions for the deaf, and some interfaces may be difficult to navigate for those with motor impairments. Without deliberate efforts to implement accessibility standards (like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and assistive technologies, a significant portion of the population can be excluded from digital content even if they have an internet connection. True digital equity means technology that is usable by everyone, regardless of physical or cognitive abilities.
  • Relevant Content and Services: Language and cultural relevance of online content is another challenge . Many communities (especially Indigenous peoples or those speaking minority languages) find that most online content is not available in their language or does not address local needs. Likewise, digital services might not cater to certain populations – for instance, online government services may be scarce in some countries, or local businesses might not be online. When people do not see the usefulness or relevance of the internet to their lives, they are less likely to adopt it. Ensuring locally relevant content, services (such as e-government, e-health, e-commerce), and language accessibility can help drive adoption and meaningful use.

In summary, digital inequity stems from a combination of physical access issues (network coverage and devices), financial barriers (cost of access), skill gaps, usability barriers, and content gaps . These challenges are interconnected – for example, expanding infrastructure without addressing affordability or skills might still leave many people offline. Effective solutions must therefore be comprehensive, addressing all five dimensions: availability, affordability, skills, accessibility, and relevance. As the National Digital Inclusion Alliance puts it, digital inclusion requires “intentional strategies and investments to reduce and eliminate historical, institutional and structural barriers to access and use of technology.”

Initiatives and Policies to Close the Digital Divide

Recognizing the importance of digital equity, governments and international organizations have launched many policies and programs to bridge the digital divide. These efforts range from global initiatives led by the United Nations and other international bodies, to national and local programs aimed at expanding infrastructure, lowering costs, and teaching digital skills.

International Initiatives and Global Commitments

On the global stage, digital inclusion is a key component of sustainable development agendas. The United Nations has explicitly set targets for universal connectivity – for example, UN Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) includes expanding access to information and communications technology and striving to provide affordable internet access in least developed countries. The UN’s Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development (co-chaired by UNESCO and the ITU) has also established connectivity goals, such as making broadband internet universally accessible and affordable by certain target dates. While these goals have spurred action, progress remains uneven as noted, and reaching true universal access by 2030 will require accelerated efforts .

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) – the UN agency for digital technologies – leads many global efforts on digital equity. The ITU’s “Connect 2030” agenda and annual Facts and Figures reports track progress and guide policy, emphasizing not just connectivity but also quality (speed, reliability) and affordability of access . For instance, the ITU has highlighted that beyond basic connectivity, gaps in connection quality and digital skills are emerging as critical issues that must be addressed in parallel . International financial institutions like the World Bank and regional development banks are also investing in digital infrastructure projects (e.g. undersea cables, rural broadband) in developing countries, recognizing that digital access underpins economic growth.

One major global initiative is Giga, a partnership launched by UNICEF and ITU to connect every school to the internet. Schools are a natural focal point to reach young people and communities. As part of Giga’s efforts, a live mapping project (Project Connect) is identifying schools without internet and helping fund connectivity solutions. The need is enormous: roughly 1.3 billion school-age children (two-thirds of the global total) have no internet connection at home . By targeting schools, Giga aims to provide digital access to youth and create community hubs for connectivity. This is an example of international organizations, governments, and the private sector collaborating to bring broadband to underserved areas, with pilot projects already connecting thousands of schools in countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Another example of cross-border collaboration is the BELLA Project (Building the Europe Link with Latin America), which is laying a transatlantic high-speed fiber optic cable to improve internet capacity between South America and Europe . This kind of international infrastructure investment can lower costs and improve speeds in regions that historically relied on limited connectivity.

Crucially, global policy efforts also focus on affordability and gender equity. The Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) is a coalition of NGOs, private companies, and governments that works to advocate for policy and regulatory changes to lower broadband prices in low-income countries . A4AI promotes actions like healthy market competition, infrastructure sharing, and innovative spectrum policy so that the cost of 1GB of data drops to affordable levels. Likewise, initiatives such as EQUALS (a global partnership for gender digital equality) backed by ITU and UN Women aim to close the gender digital divide by encouraging programs that bring women online and boost digital skills for girls.

National and Regional Strategies

Many national governments have developed digital inclusion strategies or “broadband plans” to extend internet access to all citizens. These often involve public investments in infrastructure, subsidies, or public-private partnerships. For example, the United States has made a historic funding commitment to close its digital gaps. In 2021, the U.S. passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which allocates $65 billion to expand high-speed internet to unserved rural areas . This funding comes with requirements that providers offer affordable plans and a “broadband nutrition label” to help consumers compare options . The law also prohibits digital redlining (network discrimination against low-income neighborhoods) and creates a permanent Affordable Connectivity Program subsidy to help low-income households pay for internet service . Embedded in this legislation is the Digital Equity Act, establishing grant programs for states and communities to develop inclusive digital adoption programs . These measures represent a comprehensive approach: build out physical networks, make subscriptions affordable, ban unfair practices, and fund digital literacy and device access programs. Several other countries (e.g. Canada, Australia, members of the EU) have similar national broadband initiatives and subsidy programs, though the scale varies.

In the European Union, the “Digital Decade” program aims for all EU households to have gigabit connectivity by 2030 and 5G coverage nationwide. EU member states are investing in rural broadband deployment and offering vouchers for households to get connected. For instance, countries like Spain and Ireland have undertaken rural fiber rollout projects funded jointly by governments and telecom operators to reach remote villages. The EU also enforces strong competition policies to keep internet access prices in check, and has abolished mobile roaming fees across the union to reduce cost barriers.

Developing countries are also innovating to extend access. In India, the government’s BharatNet project (part of “Digital India” mission) is laying fiber-optic lines to tens of thousands of villages, and the explosive growth of low-cost mobile data (sparked by competition from Reliance Jio) has brought hundreds of millions online in just a few years. Kenya has encouraged infrastructure sharing among telecom companies and utilized universal service funds to set up connectivity in rural and underserved communities, contributing to some of the highest internet and mobile money usage rates in Africa . Rwanda built a nationwide 4G LTE network through a public-private partnership and has one of the highest internet penetration rates in East Africa as a result. Many countries also now integrate digital literacy training into school curricula and community programs, acknowledging that human capital is as important as cables and towers in closing the divide.

On a regional level, organizations like the African Union have a Digital Transformation Strategy that calls for doubling broadband connectivity by 2025, and similar plans exist in Asia-Pacific and Latin America. These policies often emphasize not just connectivity, but also content localization, e-government services, and inclusive design so that all segments of society can benefit.

In summary, policy-makers are addressing digital inequity through a mix of infrastructure investment, subsidies/affordability programs, and skills initiatives. International goals and funding support often bolster national efforts. While these programs have made a dent in the divide (for example, an additional 1.5 billion people have come online in the last decade ), continued and expanded efforts will be required to reach the remaining unconnected populations, many of whom are the hardest to reach due to remoteness or poverty.

Organizations Promoting Digital Equity

A wide array of organizations – from nonprofits and community groups to tech companies and philanthropic foundations – are working to promote digital equity and inclusion. These organizations play critical roles in advocacy, on-the-ground implementation, and innovative solutions to connect the unconnected. Below are some of the major players and initiatives driving digital equity forward:

  • Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI): A4AI is a global coalition of nonprofits, companies, and government agencies focused on making internet access more affordable worldwide. It advocates for policy reforms that lower the cost of broadband and eliminate price barriers for users. Over the last decade, A4AI’s research and country engagements have highlighted best practices like infrastructure sharing and spectrum management to reduce data costs. This alliance has been instrumental in pushing the idea that no one should pay more than 2% of monthly income for 1GB of data, a target adopted in many affordability plans .
  • One Laptop per Child (OLPC): The OLPC initiative (launched at MIT) is a nonprofit effort to provide low-cost, rugged laptop computers to children in under-resourced communities around the world. OLPC not only distributes devices (the famous “$100 laptop”) but also develops educational software and teacher training, aiming to boost digital literacy among the world’s poorest children. Since its inception, OLPC has delivered millions of devices to students in countries from Peru to Rwanda. This program demonstrated the importance of devices and content for digital inclusion – putting technology directly in the hands of children so they can learn and participate in the digital world .
  • Internet Society (ISOC): The Internet Society is a global nonprofit organization that promotes an open, globally-connected internet. One of ISOC’s key programs to advance digital equity is supporting community networks – local, community-driven connectivity projects. For example, ISOC (through its foundation) provides grants and training to communities to build their own telecommunications infrastructure, often using inexpensive wireless equipment. These community networks have successfully connected remote areas from Nepal to South Africa to Mexico. In Colombia, ISOC funded a project with local partner Colnodo to implement an LTE-based community network in isolated coastal villages (as described in the case study below), demonstrating how empowering communities to manage their own networks can bring online access to places commercial operators ignored . ISOC also advocates for policies that enable community-based providers and works on internet exchange points and other technical enablers to improve access in developing regions.
  • National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA): NDIA is a U.S.-based coalition of organizations (libraries, nonprofits, municipalities) that share best practices and advocate for digital inclusion policies. While focused on the United States, NDIA has popularized key concepts (like the definitions of digital equity and inclusion used in this report) and influenced the formation of similar coalitions in other countries. NDIA supports local programs – such as digital navigator initiatives that help people sign up for internet or learn digital skills – and it was instrumental in shaping the digital equity components of recent U.S. legislation . Its work exemplifies how grassroots organizations can coordinate to drive national action on digital equity.
  • Tech Companies and Private Initiatives: Many technology and telecom companies have launched initiatives to expand internet access as part of their corporate social responsibility or new market development. For instance, SpaceX’s Starlink project is deploying a constellation of low-earth orbit satellites to provide high-speed internet to remote and underserved areas globally. Starlink’s service, while still rolling out, has already connected rural communities with broadband that were previously off the grid, using a private-sector approach to solve the last-mile problem . Another example is Dell Technologies, which in partnership with Computer Aid and others created Solar Community Hubs – solar-powered, Wi-Fi-enabled community centers in remote villages that offer connectivity, digital services, and skills training. As of 2023, Dell’s Solar Community Hubs were present in 25 locations across Latin America, Africa, and Asia, benefitting over 114,000 people with access to technology, education, and healthcare information in their communities . Other notable efforts include Microsoft’s Airband Initiative (partnering to bring internet to millions in rural Africa and the U.S.), Google’s efforts (like the now-concluded Project Loon which used high-altitude balloons to extend connectivity, and ongoing investments in subsea cables and urban fiber), and Facebook Connectivity (investing in open access fiber and wireless technology in emerging markets). Telecommunications companies in many countries also run programs for device donations, digital skills workshops, and low-cost internet offerings for disadvantaged groups (for example, AT&T and Verizon in the U.S. have discounted plans for low-income households).
  • Nonprofits and Community Organizations: Countless local and international nonprofits are deeply involved in digital inclusion. For example, Human-I-T is a nonprofit that refurbishes donated computers and distributes them to low-income families in the U.S. while also providing discounted internet and tech support. Telecentre.org Alliance and organizations like Libraries Without Borders set up community technology centers and public Wi-Fi hotspots in areas from refugee camps to rural villages. The Digital Empowerment Foundation (India) has established community information resource centers in rural India to teach digital skills and support entrepreneurship. These organizations often focus on the human side of the digital divide – training, local content creation, and community engagement – which is crucial to the success of any connectivity initiative.

Collectively, these organizations form a digital equity ecosystem: advocacy groups pushing for better policies, innovators creating new technologies and business models to reach the underserved, community groups working on the ground to help people get online, and public-private partnerships bringing it all together. Their work has led to tangible successes, from substantial drops in broadband prices in countries that adopted A4AI recommendations, to entire villages getting online for the first time via community networks. The following case studies illustrate what progress in closing the digital divide looks like at the community level.

Case Studies: Progress Toward Digital Equity

Community Network Transforms Rural Communities in Colombia

In the remote Afro-Colombian villages of Juanchaco and Ladrilleros on Colombia’s Pacific coast, lack of internet access was long a fact of life. These communities, accessible mainly by boat, were left isolated from educational and economic opportunities – children had difficulty accessing online learning, and locals had to travel an hour to the nearest city just to send an email or make a phone call . In 2021–2022, a local NGO (Asociación Colnodo), with support from the Internet Society Foundation, helped the residents build their own community LTE network. The project, called Red Comunitaria La Cachuda, involved installing a 4G base station powered by solar energy and using the 900 MHz spectrum band to cover the villages . Community members were trained as network operators and digital skills coaches, with a special focus on women and youth entrepreneurs learning to use online tools .

The impact has been dramatic. For the first time, these villages now have stable internet access serving over 100 families . Children and students can attend online classes and access educational materials, bridging a significant educational gap in this underserved area . Local entrepreneurs – many of them women – are using social media and online marketplaces to promote their products, such as traditional foods and crafts, reaching customers beyond their immediate locale . The internet connection has also improved healthcare and emergency communications; residents can consult telehealth resources and stay informed about weather or safety alerts. Perhaps just as importantly, the project has strengthened community bonds: villagers created a community WhatsApp group to share updates and support each other, reducing feelings of isolation . “There is a very positive change – the Internet is our support, which not only allows communication but also unites us as a community,” said the local network coordinator . This success story shows how a grassroots approach, combined with technical and financial support from nonprofit partners, can empower a community to close its own digital gap. It also demonstrates a sustainable model: the network is community-owned and maintained, creating local jobs and building digital literacy from within. The Colombian government is now looking at this and similar community networks as viable solutions to connect other hard-to-reach rural areas.

Mongolia’s Digital Nation Initiative Empowers Nomadic Communities

Mongolia is a vast country with a dispersed population, including many nomadic herder communities living far from urban centers. This geography poses challenges for digital inclusion, but Mongolia has embarked on an ambitious Digital Nation Strategy to bring digital technology and services to all its people. A cornerstone of this effort is the e-Mongolia initiative, an online platform that now hosts hundreds of public services (from obtaining licenses to accessing social welfare) and makes them available even to citizens in remote provinces . By digitizing government services and making them accessible via a single portal, Mongolia is connecting diverse social groups – including nomads – with information and services without requiring travel to city offices .

To complement the e-service rollout, Mongolia, with support from the United Nations, has focused on boosting digital skills and infrastructure in rural areas. In Darkhan-Uul province, a pilot “Exemplary Digital Province,” the government in partnership with UNDP and UNICEF established Mongolia’s first Digital Training Facility to provide free training on basic digital literacy for citizens in underserved areas . They are also deploying mobile digital literacy units – essentially tech training teams that travel to remote communities (sometimes in mobile classrooms) to teach people how to use smartphones, access e-Mongolia services, and stay safe online . This outreach is particularly important for nomadic herders who might live dozens of kilometers from the nearest town. Moreover, the government has been expanding connectivity through public-private telco partnerships – for example, extending 4G mobile coverage across the steppe and setting up satellite internet in extremely isolated settlements.

Early results are promising. In Darkhan-Uul, hundreds of civil servants and teachers have been trained to serve as Digital Community Information Workers who can assist local residents with digital tasks . One teacher in the program noted that she can now teach her students not just basic computer skills but also how to safely navigate the internet and utilize it for learning, something that was not previously part of the rural curriculum . Across Mongolia, the e-Mongolia platform has seen usage skyrocket as more citizens realize they can, for example, renew their national ID or pay bills online in minutes instead of traveling for hours. This has saved time and money, especially for rural families. Importantly, Mongolia’s approach highlights the value of political commitment and a holistic plan: the Deputy Governor of Darkhan-Uul explicitly tied the province’s economic development goals to improving digital access and literacy for all residents . By combining infrastructure upgrades, service digitization, and skills development, Mongolia is making significant progress toward digital equity, even for its most nomadic populations. The Mongolia case exemplifies how a government can lead on digital inclusion with coordinated support from international agencies, serving as a model for other developing nations with challenging geographies.

Conclusion and Outlook

The pursuit of digital equity is now widely recognized as a global imperative akin to ensuring access to basic utilities or education. The world has made steady progress – billions more people are connected today than two decades ago – yet the digital divide remains deep and in some respects is evolving rather than closing. As we have seen, gaps in access persist not only between rich and poor regions, but also along rural/urban, gender, and generational lines. Worryingly, without intervention these gaps can exacerbate existing social inequalities, since digital access is increasingly tied to economic opportunity, health, and education outcomes .

On the positive side, momentum to bridge these divides has never been stronger. Governments, international bodies, companies, and communities are mobilizing resources and innovative solutions on an unprecedented scale. From massive infrastructure investments (like the US $65B broadband plan or the EU’s gigabit targets) to grassroots community networks and affordable device programs, the building blocks for digital equity are being put in place. Public awareness has also grown – the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the consequences of digital exclusion in education and work, galvanizing political will to address the issue.

However, significant challenges remain on the road ahead. Affordability and last-mile access are key obstacles in the poorest countries – even where 3G/4G signals now reach, many cannot afford to connect, and roughly 2 billion people still lack access to a simple internet-enabled device. In some areas, digital gender gaps persist due to cultural norms and safety concerns that keep women offline . And as technology advances (with remote work, e-commerce, and now AI tools becoming commonplace), those without digital access or skills risk falling further behind in socio-economic terms.

The outlook for closing the divide by 2030 (the UN’s target) is uncertain. Current growth rates of connectivity, roughly 3-4% annually, are not enough to achieve universal access on that timeline . Extraordinary efforts and innovation will be required – such as new low-cost satellite networks, community-driven solutions, and sustained subsidy programs – to reach the hardest-to-connect populations. It will also require continued international cooperation and sharing of best practices, so that successful models (like those in the case studies) can be replicated and scaled.

In conclusion, digital equity is an attainable goal but one that demands concerted action across multiple fronts. The benefits of success would be profound: a world where every person can leverage information and technology to improve their life, participate in the digital economy, and have their voice heard. Achieving that vision is one of the great challenges – and opportunities – of our time. As one UN official aptly noted, “in a world where digital technologies are essential to so much of daily life, everyone should have the opportunity to benefit from being online” . The work underway by governments, organizations, and communities is bringing us closer to that inclusive digital future, ensuring that no one is left behind in the connected society of the 21st century.

Sources: The information in this report is drawn from a variety of sources, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for global statistics and digital divide data , the National Digital Inclusion Alliance for definitions , DataReportal and World Economic Forum reports for current usage figures , Investopedia and news articles for policy and initiative details , and case studies documented by the Internet Society Foundation and the UN in Mongolia , among others. These sources are cited throughout the text for reference and further reading.