According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), not fewer than 3.9 billion people, which makes up more than half of the world's population, will have access to the internet by the end of 2018. The United Nations Telecommunications Agency made the projection in its Global and Regional Estimates for 2018.
According to the Agency, the latest figures also spotlight Africa, as one of the fastest growing figure with a growth rate from around two per cent (2%) in 2005, to more than twenty four per cent (24%) of the African population in 2018 being internet user. Also, Europe and America showed slow growth rates, as the current figures show that 79.6 per cent and 69.6 per cent are online, respectively.
ITU Secretary-General, Houlin Zhao affirmed that the estimates are a pointer to the great strides the world is making towards building a more inclusive global information society. adding that, The figure of 3.9 billion people, or 51.2 % of the world' population online by the end of December, is an important milestone in the digital revolution.
On the overall, said the ITU, in developed countries, slow and steady growth increased the percentage of the population using the Internet, from 51.3 percent in 2005 to 80.9 percent in 2018. This is a pointer to the increased connectivity which would help promote sustainable development, globally.
In spite of this progress, ITU has observed that a lot of communities worldwide, still do not use the internet actively, particularly women and girls. The statistics also, showed older people disproportionately remain offline, as do those with disabilities, indigenous populations and some people living in the world’s poorest places.
In a bid to reduce inequalities, the agency is calling on more infrastructure investment from the public and private sectors, and to focus on ensuring that access remains affordable for all.
The revelation adverted that, Governments in all nations must encourage more investment from the public and private sectors and create a good environment to attract investments, and support technology and business innovation so that the digital revolution leaves no one offline.
