Cellular connections also saw a notable increase, reaching 8.7 billion in 2024.
The graphic below highlights the gap between mobile connectivity and internet adoption across various countries.
These factors together emphasize thathaving more mobile connections doesnt necessarily guarantee widespread internet usage or accessibility.
To ensure universal access, further work is needed to make internet services accessible and affordable for all.
On the other hand, countries like Myanmar face significant challenges in leveraging internet connectivity.
Political instability, frequent internet shutdowns, and infrastructural damage hinder their ability to capitalize on digital advancements.
For example, countries like Singapore, Qatar, and Monaco report nearly 100% urbanization.
Yet, this does not automatically translate into universal digital connectivity or advanced infrastructure for all residents.
The graph below illustrates the overall classification of countries.
This index helps track e-government initiatives, identify gaps, and promote universal digital inclusion.
Smaller populations also make it easier to scale and implement digital initiatives effectively.
However, the data also highlights the unique challenges faced by larger nations like Brazil and Portugal.
Despite economic resources, these countries often face challenges in scaling their digital infrastructure.
Countries with moderate digital connectivity, such as Portugal and Kuwait, have great potential for improvement.
By building on their current systems and investing in technology and education, they can strengthen their digital ecosystems.
The UAE is a prominent example, setting the pace with its strong digital infrastructure and healthcare services.
Finland, on the other hand, leads in citizen engagement through its seamless e-government services.
This interconnected approach to digital transformation could play a key role in shaping the future of governance globally.
However, these technologies often enable extensive surveillance, raising concerns about their ethical implications and individual privacy.
For instance, Chinas Skynet system employs facial recognition and big data analytics to monitor public spaces.
Another growing concern is the rise in data breaches that affect millions of individuals globally.
A notable example is Indias Aadhaar program, which collects biometric data from over 1.1 billion individuals.
A major 2017 data breach exposed the weakness of large digital identity systems and raised concerns about potential misuse.
