After a surge during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, global Internet growth has slowed, with the 2030 ambition of “getting the world connected” remaining elusive.

While an estimated 5.3-billion people worldwide are now using the Internet, about 2.7-billion people – one-third of the world’s population – remain offline, data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) shows.

This is, however, an improvement on the three-billion people unconnected worldwide in 2021.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, an estimated 3.6-billion people, or nearly half the world’s population, were unconnected in 2019.

“The Covid-19 pandemic gave us a big connectivity boost, but we need to keep the momentum going to ensure that everyone everywhere can benefit from digital technologies and services,” says ITU secretary-general Houlin Zhao of the slower growth in the number of Internet users than at the height of Covid-19.

Globally, the number of Internet users grew by 7% and Internet penetration grew by 6% between 2021 and 2022; however, this growth was unevenly distributed across regions.

“Areas with low Internet penetration have achieved the fastest growth over the past year, following a typical diffusion pattern for new and emerging technologies,” Zhao explains.

Africa, the least connected of the ITU’s six regions, achieved 13% year-on-year Internet penetration growth, with 40% of the population on the continent now online.

Europe remains the most connected region globally, with 89% of its population online after achieving 3% growth last year.

The Americas also reported 3% growth, with more than 80% of the population now online.

While the continued growth is encouraging, the trend suggests that without increased infrastructure investment and a new impetus to foster digital skills, the possibility of connecting everyone by 2030 looks increasingly slim, Zhao warns.

“This can only be achieved with more investments in digital networks and technologies, implementing best practice regulation and a continued focus on skills development as we move to a postpandemic era.”

Amid concerns about slowing progress, ITU analysis indicates two major challenges in terms of advancing the world’s digital transformation, namely universal connectivity and meaningful connectivity.

However, achieving universal connectivity will prove increasingly difficult, as those still offline mostly live in remote, hard-to-reach areas.

Further, he explains that the shift from basic to meaningful connectivity, wherein people have ready access to the Internet and are able to use it regularly and effectively to improve their lives, is complex.

“Often, such challenges are overlooked or underestimated. Barriers can include slow Internet speeds; limited affordability of hardware and subscription packages; inadequate digital awareness and skills; linguistic and literacy barriers; and issues like gender discrimination or the lack of a reliable power source.”

ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau director Doreen Bogdan-Martin notes that, while the rise in the number of people using the Internet worldwide is positive, it should not be assumed that the robust growth witnessed in recent years will continue unabated.

“Those who are still not using the Internet will be the most difficult to bring online. They live in remote areas, often belong to disadvantaged groups, and in some cases are unfamiliar with what the Internet can offer. ”