Women’s rate of mobile internet adoption increased over the past year across low- and middle-income countries and there are now more women using mobile internet than ever before. The gender gap in mobile internet adoption across these countries has narrowed for the first time since 2020 due to women adopting it at a faster rate than men. Women are now 15% less likely than men to use mobile internet and of the 785 million women who are still not using it, around 60% live in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The smartphone gender gap also narrowed slightly to 13% but the gender gap in overall mobile ownership remains relatively unchanged at 8%.

The Mobile Gender Gap Report 2024 explores the latest data on the mobile gender gap, the key barriers preventing women’s equal access to and use of mobile, and what is needed to close the mobile internet gender gap. It also highlights the socio-economic benefits of addressing these barriers for the mobile industry, the economy and society more broadly, and women themselves.

Findings from this report are based on results from over 13,600 face-to-face surveys across 12 low- and middle-income countries, and subsequent modelling and analysis of this survey data.

The core data from this survey is available on request. Please email [email protected].

Watch the virtual launch recording

Missed our virtual launch event? Watch the recording now and hear from Nadia Jeffrie, Insights Manager of the Connected Women programme, who shares the key findings, analysis and recommendations from the report. Plus you’ll hear from guest speakers from ITU, Jio and MTN Uganda who share their reactions to the latest findings, and discuss where we should focus our efforts to address the mobile gender gap and ensure that women are not being left behind.

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