The number of internet users in the world has crossed 4 billion, with women lagging even further

The number of Internet users worldwide has exceeded four billion. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ‘s Measuring Digital Development: Facts and Figures 2019’ report released on Tuesday, the number of Internet users in the world has reached 4.1 billion.

At the same time, 53.6 percent of the world’s population is connected to the Internet. In 2005, only 16.8 percent had Internet access. The number of Internet users has increased significantly in the last 14 years. According to the report, access to the Internet has been growing at an average rate of 10 percent since 2005, compared to the previous year. Internet access has grown by only 5.3 percent in the past year. In 2018, 48.3 million people worldwide were connected to the Internet.

According to the ITU, 61 percent of men in 85 countries own a mobile phone, compared to women. In the remaining 24 countries, women own more mobile phones than men. 

Chile has the lowest number of women-owned mobile phones. Only 12 percent of women own a mobile phone.