Geneva:The global population using the internet is projected to reach 6.3 billion by 2026, which constitutes 76% of the world's population. Despite this growth, 2 billion people remain without internet access, as reported by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

According to Anadolu Agency – English, the ITU's recent report highlights a rise from 6.1 billion internet users, or 74% of the population, in 2025. However, there is a significant disparity in internet access across different income brackets. In high-income countries, 93% of individuals are online, compared to only 32% in low-income nations.

The ITU Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, emphasized the importance of internet connectivity, stating that being offline in the current AI-driven age equates to missing out on numerous opportunities, including education and employment. She stressed the urgent need to broaden connectivity and ensure it is beneficial for all individuals globally.

The report also disclosed disparities based on gender and location. While 79% of men use the internet, only 74% of women do. Furthermore, 82% of urban dwellers have internet access, in contrast to 63% of those in rural areas. Although basic mobile networks are widely available, advanced technologies like 5G are not uniformly distributed. Currently, 5G networks cover 59% of the global population, with a stark difference between 86% coverage in affluent countries and a mere 4% in poorer regions.

Affordability remains a hurdle as well, as 30% of economies do not meet the affordability benchmarks for either fixed or mobile broadband services.