2021年全球数字连接状况报告（英）-31页_3mb

Summary of Measuring Digital Development: Facts and Figures 2021

Core Content

The 2021 edition of Measuring Digital Development: Facts and Figures by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) presents a comprehensive overview of global digital development trends, focusing on internet access, broadband subscriptions, mobile phone ownership, and digital skills. The report highlights both progress and persistent challenges in bridging the digital divide.

Key Findings

Internet Access

• Global Internet Users: In 2021, approximately 4.9 billion people (63%) used the Internet, an increase of 17% since 2019.
• Growth by Region:
  • Internet use in Africa and the Asia-Pacific region increased by 23% and 24%, respectively.
  • The least developed countries (LDCs) saw a 20% increase, with internet access now at 27% of the population.
• Still Offline: About 2.9 billion people remain offline, with 96% of them living in developing countries.
• Access Barriers:
  • 390 million people are not covered by a mobile broadband signal.
  • In Africa, 30% of the rural population lacks mobile broadband coverage.
  • Urban areas have twice the internet user rate of rural areas globally.

Broadband Subscriptions

• Global Growth: Broadband subscriptions increased in 2021, reaching 17 per 100 inhabitants on average.
• Regional Growth:
  • Asia-Pacific: 10.5% growth.
  • CIS: 7.0% growth.
  • Africa: 6.7% growth.
• LDCs: Fixed broadband remains a privilege, with only 1.4 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.

Mobile Broadband

• Global Penetration: Mobile broadband penetration reached 83 per 100 inhabitants in 2021.
• 4G Coverage: 4G coverage doubled between 2015 and 2021, reaching 88% globally.
• Africa: 18% of the rural population still lacks mobile broadband coverage.

International Bandwidth

• Global Usage: International bandwidth usage reached 932 Tbit/s in 2021, up 30% from 2020.
• Regional Leaders:
  • Europe: 340 kbit/s per user.
  • Americas: 214 kbit/s per user.
  • Arab States: 174 kbit/s per user.
• LDCs: International bandwidth usage is much lower, at 34 kbit/s per user.

Cost of Connectivity

• Affordability Target: The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development aims for broadband to cost less than 2% of GNI per capita by 2025.
• Progress:
  • In 2020, only 47% of economies met the affordability target for mobile broadband.
  • For fixed broadband, the figure was 56%.
• LDCs: Even with declining median prices, only one LDC met the 2% target for fixed broadband.

Mobile Phone Ownership

• Global Trends: Mobile phones are becoming ubiquitous, with over 90% of the population owning one in almost half of the countries.
• Gender Parity:
  • In 50% of the 60 countries, gender parity in mobile phone ownership was achieved.
  • In 10 countries, more women than men owned mobile phones.
  • In 21 countries, women lagged behind men in mobile phone ownership.

Digital Skills

• Basic Skills: In 40% of the countries, less than 40% of individuals reported having performed basic ICT skills in the last three months.
• Standard Skills: In 70% of the countries, less than 40% of individuals had used standard ICT skills.
• Advanced Skills: Only 15% of the countries had more than 10% of individuals reporting advanced ICT skills.

Main Viewpoints

• Digital Divide: While internet access has improved, the divide between the digitally empowered and excluded remains significant.
• Pandemic Impact: The pandemic accelerated internet adoption, especially in developing countries.
• Affordability and Skills: The cost of connectivity and digital skills are critical factors in achieving meaningful internet access.
• Policy Importance: Measuring the digital divide is essential for effective policy-making and closing the gap.

Key Information

• Global Internet Penetration: 63% in 2021.
• Offline Population: 2.9 billion people, with 96% in developing countries.
• Mobile Broadband: 83 per 100 inhabitants globally in 2021.
• Affordability Target: 2% of GNI per capita by 2025.
• Digital Gender Divide: Narrowing globally, but still significant in LDCs and other developing regions.
• Youth Connectivity: 71% of youth (15-24 years) are online, compared to 57% of the rest of the population.
• ICT Skills Gap: Large disparities in skill levels between age groups and occupations, with relatively smaller differences between genders, especially among younger populations.

Conclusion

The report underscores the importance of continued efforts to bridge the digital divide, emphasizing the need for affordability, infrastructure development, and skills training. While significant progress has been made, challenges remain, particularly in rural and low-income regions. The ITU's data serve as a critical tool for advocacy and policy-making in the digital development space.