Internet disparity
April 23, 2021
Pakistan seems to be on a slippery slope this year as the country continues to show dismal performance in international rankings. First it was the Corruption Perceptions Index, then the Global Gender Gap Index, and now Pakistan has managed to dropped down to the 90th ranking, out of 120, on the Inclusive Internet Index second to last in the Asia region. The report not only highlights the lack of broadband and signal boosting infrastructure in the country, but it unveils the disproportionate use of what should now be considered as a basic facility for all.
The digital landscape in Pakistan is fractured across 3 main lines: 1) Geography apart from security concerns, since infrastructure is mostly either absent or undeveloped in rural, impoverished and far-flung areas of Pakistan, most people there have little to no internet access; 2) Gender owing to social norms and stigmas attached to the female gender, the “Gender Gap in Internet Access�
IN the Economist Intelligence Unit’s annual Inclusive Internet Index report, measuring internet inclusion in terms of availability, affordability, relevance and readiness, Pakistan’s overall ranking has dropped to 90th place among 120 nations; the second lowest ranking country in Asia and the lowest in South Asia. In the midst of a global pandemic that has made the need for internet access even more evident, the report warns that failure to improve conditions may widen inequalities between on- and offline populations. Though there are several improvements that Pakistan has made to improve internet access chiefly in affordability due to market competition and lowering mobile phone costs one of the most troubling figures is that of the digital gender parity.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan continues to slide on “Inclusive Internet Index” to drop to 90th rank among 120 countries, according to a global report for the year 2021.
The index report was released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) on April 14. It represents 98 per cent of global GDP and 96pc of global population, with stiff competition between Sweden and the United States for the top two slots over the past three years.
After dropping to rank 2 in 2020 Sweden beat the United States to retake the top position, the 2021 report shows.
The top performers in South Asia include India at 49 ranking compared to its position at 52 in 2020, while Sri Lanka was at 77, Bangladesh at 82 and Nepal at 83 rank in the index report 2021. Pakistan not only remained the lowest in South Asia, but also lags behind other regional states, like Iran.
Pakistan drops to 90th rank on inclusive internet index Dawn 11 hrs ago none@none.com (Kalbe Ali)
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan continues to slide on “Inclusive Internet Index” to drop to 90th rank among 120 countries, according to a global report for the year 2021.
The index report was released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) on April 14. It represents 98 per cent of global GDP and 96pc of global population, with stiff competition between Sweden and the United States for the top two slots over the past three years.
After dropping to rank 2 in 2020 Sweden beat the United States to retake the top position, the 2021 report shows.
Pakistan Ranks Among Worst Countries on Internet Inclusivity Index
th ranking on the “Inclusive Internet Index” in 2021, one point down from 89
th in 2020, among 120 countries, according to a global report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
The index measures the overall score based on the factors of the “Availability, Affordability, Relevance and Readiness” categories. The report includes 120 countries encompassing 98 percent of global GDP and 96 percent of the global population.
Director Telecommunication Development Bureau at International Telecommunication Union, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, announcing the release of the report, said that the newly launched 2021 Facebook and the EIU Index makes a strong case for universal and meaningful connectivity. “Pleased to see ITU data put to good use in the spirit of digital cooperation,” she said.