The digital divide between rich and poor countries is growing larger
This video is part of: Centre for the New Economy and Society
Developing economies are falling behind in the digital revolution, losing opportunities for innovation and growth in the widening gap. This disparity is fueled by a significant investment gap.
Consequences of the digital divide
The consequences of this gap are numerous. More than 90% of people in high-income countries used the internet in 2022, compared with only 25% of people in low-income countries.
The cost of getting online is often prohibitively high in poorer countries. Moreover, developing countries also face shortages of workers trained in STEM fields and lack policies to make digital technologies affordable and accessible.
Closing the gap
Experts believe that enhancing internet connectivity and developing globally competitive digital workforces can help developing countries innovate and grow their economies.
The World Economic Forum's EDISON Alliance aims to improve the lives of 1 billion people by 2025 by broadening access to affordable and accessible digital services.
