The new data shows the evolution of ICTs and the differences in connectivity since 2000, when world leaders established the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Today, there are more than 7 billion mobile phone subscribers worldwide, up from 748 million in 2000. Globally, 3.2 billion people use the internet, 2 billion of whom live in developing countries.

"In addition to showcasing the rapid technological progress achieved to date, this new data helps identify those who have fallen behind in the rapidly evolving digital economy, as well as areas that require greater investment in ICT," said Secretary-General Houlin Zhao at today's press conference for the launch of the 2015 WSIS Forum report in Geneva.

“ICTs will play an even more significant role in the post-2015 era and in the future achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals as the world evolves ever more rapidly towards a digital society,” said Mr. Brahima Sanou, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau. “Our mission is to connect everyone and create a truly inclusive information society, for which we need high-quality data and statistics that allow us to quantify progress.”

Internet user penetration has increased sevenfold since 2000

Between 2000 and 2015, internet penetration increased almost sevenfold, rising from 6.5 to 43 percent of the world's population. The proportion of households with internet access increased from 18 percent in 2005 to 46 percent in 2015.

ITU data also indicate that 4 billion people in the developing world still lack internet access. Of the nearly 1 billion people living in least developed countries (LDCs), 851 million do not use the internet.

3G broadband coverage is expanding rapidly

Mobile broadband is the most dynamic market segment, with mobile broadband penetration reaching 47 percent in 2015, 12 times higher than in 2007. In 2015, 69 percent of the world's population had 3G mobile broadband coverage, up from 45 percent in 2011.

There has also been a rapid expansion of 3G mobile broadband in rural areas; and the ITU estimates that by the end of 2015, 29 percent of the 3.4 billion people living in rural areas will have 3G mobile broadband coverage. Of the 4 billion people living in urban areas, 89 percent have access to 3G mobile broadband.

Fixed broadband is growing at a slower pace

Fixed broadband is growing at a slower pace, at seven percent annually over the past three years. While fixed broadband service prices fell considerably between 2008 and 2011 in developing countries, they have since stagnated and even increased slightly in least developed countries.

Broadband is now affordable in many countries

The figures indicate that broadband is now affordable in 111 countries, where the cost of a basic broadband plan (fixed or mobile) is less than five percent of gross national product (GNP) per capita, thus meeting the target set by the Broadband Commission for Digital Development. The global average cost of a fixed broadband plan, measured in PPP$ (or purchasing power parity in dollars), is 1.7 times higher than the average cost of a comparable mobile broadband plan.

ITU Statistics

ITU statistics are renowned for providing the most reliable and impartial data on the state of the ICT sector worldwide. They are widely used globally by major intergovernmental organizations, financial institutions, and private sector analysts.

The most recent ITU statistics can be found here.