Pakistan grapples with a mobile subscription gap relative to peer economies and a digital gender divide, despite increases in internet penetration.
- As of 2022, Pakistan has 80 mobile phone subscriptions per 100 individuals, contrasting with 106 per 100 in low and middle-income economies. || Source: The Academic
+ A study in 2022 revealed 60% of individuals under 30 with mobile devices access the internet. Education levels vary significantly based on mobile device access, indicating a twofold income and wage gap favoring internet-enabled mobile device owners. || Source: The Academic - Internet penetration in Pakistan is estimated at 26% in 2023, a 47% growth compared to 2017. || Source: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority
+ Biometrically verified SIMs/subscribers increased to 194 million, whereas broadband subscription grew to 124 million with 56% penetration and monthly mobile data usage reaching 6.8 GB per subscriber with an annual growth of 31%. - Women in Pakistan are 43% less likely to use the internet than men. Only 26% of women in Pakistan have internet access compared to 47% of men. Rural women face more significant disparities, with only 7% having internet access compared to 20% of rural men. || Source: UNDP
+ According to the Inclusive Internet Index 2022, Pakistan has a 67.5 percent gender gap in access to the internet, and a 44.7 percent gender gap in mobile phone access. Women in Pakistan are also 48 percent less likely to own a mobile phone than men, and 49 percent less likely to use mobile internet.
