A new data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) reveals that the world increasingly defined by its digital borders.
According to the report, while global internet usage has climbed to a weighted average of 71%, the gap between the most connected nations and those left in the “digital dark” remains due to poor infrastructure, economy, and policy.
The report highlights a spectrum of connectivity, ranging from total digital saturation in Northern Europe and the Middle East to near-total isolation in parts of East Africa and East Asia.
The leaders of the digital age, often referred to as the “100% Club,” represent a new standard of societal integration.
Countries like Denmark, Iceland, and Saudi Arabia have achieved total (100%) population coverage, with Norway (99%) and South Korea (98%) following closely behind.
The report indicates that Nigeria currently sits at a 39% internet penetration rate. Despite being Africa’s largest economy and a global powerhouse for fintech, roughly 60% of the population remains offline.
The global middle ground is occupied by populous nations in rapid transition. India (56%) represents a massive market where over half the population now has access, while China (92%) and the USA (93%) have reached near-parity.
However, at the bottom of the scale, the figures also paint a picture of isolation.
North Korea remains at 0% due to strict state-controlled information barriers, while South Sudan and Uganda sit at just 9%, hampered by persistent instability and lack of basic infrastructure.
