For many people, the idea of even a day without internet access is enough to make them break out in a cold sweat.
But a new report has revealed how a surprisingly large proportion of the world remains offline.
The International Telecommunication Union’s Facts and Figures 2026 report estimates that 6.3 billion people are using the internet in 2026 – the equivalent of 76 per cent of the world’s population.
That means two billion people – or 24 per cent of the population – are unconnected.
‘In the age of AI, being offline means being shut out of countless opportunities, from education to employment,’ said Doreen Bogdan–Martin, ITU Secretary–General.
‘Now more than ever, we need to expand connectivity and make it meaningful for everyone, everywhere.’
For many people, the idea of even a day without internet access is enough to make them break out in a cold sweat. But a new report has revealed how a surprisingly large proportion of the world remains offline
The International Telecommunication Union’s Facts and Figures 2026 report estimates that 6.3 billion people are using the internet in 2026 – the equivalent of 76 per cent of the world’s population. That means two billion people – or 24 per cent of the population – are unconnected
For the report, the team set out to estimate exactly who is and isn’t online around the world.
Their results show clear disparities in who is connected.
Globally, 79 per cent of men use the internet, compared with just 74 per cent of women.
Somewhat unsurprisingly, young people are the best connected, with 86 per cent of people aged 15 to 24 using the internet globally, compared with 74 per cent of the rest of the population.
In terms of location, the researchers found a clear divide between people living in urban and rural areas.
Globally, 82 per cent of urban residents have access to the internet, compared with 63 per cent in rural areas.
As part of the analysis, the researchers also looked at how mobile phone ownership varies around the world.
As part of the analysis, the researchers also looked at how mobile phone ownership varies around the world. The results showed that globally, 84 per cent of the population aged 10 and over own a mobile phone. However, in low-income countries, this figure is just 57 per cent, while in high-income countries it’s 95 per cent
The results showed that globally, 84 per cent of the population aged 10 and over own a mobile phone.
However, in low-income countries, this figure is just 57 per cent, while in high-income countries it’s 95 per cent.
While two billion people without access to the internet sounds like a lot, this figure is actually down on last year’s data, which showed that 2.2 billion people remained offline.
Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, said: ‘Facts and Figures 2026 shows us the significant progress achieved so far and the work that lies ahead of us to translate access to digital technologies into meaningful connections that can improve people’s lives.
‘For this to happen, we should also prioritize the delivery of digital skills.
‘Without digital skills and meaningful connectivity, the benefits of technologies risk remaining out of reach for many, reinforcing existing digital divides.’