UN SDG — ICT ACCESS; Statistical Report
The United Nations aims to bridge the digital divide by targeting universal and affordable Internet access in least developed countries by 2030, as part of its Sustainable Development Goals to enhance global innovation, education, and economic inclusion.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. Comprising 17 interlinked goals, the SDGs are designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all." They address the global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice.
Why Statistics for the Internet Access?
A statistical report on global ICT or Internet access highlights its importance as a human right, revealing disparities and guiding efforts towards digital inclusion. Recognizing Internet access as essential allows for equitable opportunities in education, economy, and democratic participation, crucial for sustainable development and a fairer society.
Conclusion.
Overall positive relationship between income level and the number of internet users has been observed from the part A, but the income factor was not significantly affecting the internet usage among low-middle and upper-middle income countries according to the multiple regression outputs.
In addition, while GNI per capita, mobile cellular subscription and access to electricity has effect to the internet usage in general, each income group had different significant variables that affect the internet usage. For instant, while no significant coefficient has been found between income level and FDI from the group ALL, still the FDI variable had significant impact to upper-middle income group.
According to the linear trend model from global internet usage of 2003 until 2017, approximately 100 countries among 185 countries are expected to have more than 90 people using the internet among 100 people within the country, compared to 22 countries in 2017. Although the trend predicts positive development of access to the internet world-wide, 55 countries are expected to have lower than 50% of population using the internet.
On the other hand, the countries with more than 90% of population using the internet seem to struggle increasing the capacity from their current status. Such countries may need to look closer to the recent records and look into the variables affecting the internet usage in order to reach the higher number of internet users.