ITU-D Digital Inclusion
The Challenge: persistent digital divide
- Some people with specific needs (i.e. associated to differences of age, gender, ability, socioeconomic status and geography) may have barriers to access and use digital information and services.
- Substantial digital divides persist between countries. Indeed, nearly 87 per cent of people were using the Internet in developed countries in 2019, compared with 47 per cent in developing countries.
- Digital divides are also evident within countries. Men, urban residents and young people are more likely to be online than women, rural dwellers and older persons. The digital gender gap is more pronounced in developing countries and substantial in least developed countries.
The Solution: ensuring inclusive, equal access and use of ICTs for all
- By supporting Member States, sector members and academia in the formulation and implementation of policies and strategies on digital inclusion, as well as awareness raising and advocacy, sharing good practices and knowledge, building capacity and the development products/services.
- By supporting specific local communities (children, youth, older persons, women, persons with disabilities and indigenous people) through multi-stakeholder partnerships, collaborations and initiatives, to implement scalable roadmaps, actions, activities, and projects, to reduce the digital divide and towards more inclusive, equal access and use of ICTs for all.
