Time and place
Global
The date refers to the statistical reporting year, not the beginning of global connectivity.
Planetary · Connectivity · Global
Connectivity: a planetary question with uneven answers
2025 CE–2025 CE (focus interval)
What does being connected actually measure?
ITU’s 2025 Facts and Figures reports connectivity estimates and gaps in access, affordability and quality. The figures describe uneven infrastructure, not one uniform planetary society or a live census.
Research draft · the main interpretation still needs independent reviewPage published · Source packet updated
At a glance
- Place
- Global
- Dates · statistical reporting
- 2025 CE–2025 CE (focus interval)The date refers to the statistical reporting year, not the beginning of global connectivity.
- The question
- What does being connected actually measure?
- Key finding
- ITU’s 2025 Facts and Figures presents global and regional connectivity estimates and gaps in access, affordability and quality. Read the evidence ↓
- Important limit
- These are 2025 estimates, not a live 2026 census or evidence of a single global polity.
Where this case belongs
Global · 2025 CE–2025 CE (focus interval)
This case concerns global connectivity statistics. One marker would misrepresent its scope.
What this case covers
What was found
ITU’s 2025 Facts and Figures presents global and regional connectivity estimates and gaps in access, affordability and quality.
What it may tell us
A survey of financial inclusion and republished connectivity statistics use different data and cannot be treated as equivalent measures.
Alternative explanations and limits
These are 2025 estimates, not a live 2026 census or evidence of a single global polity.
Access and review notes
Findex is a separate World Bank survey. The World Bank internet-use indicator republishes ITU data and is not independent confirmation. Findex’s full report and methods need review before detailed numerical comparisons.
Read the evidence
Source links apply to specific claims. Several links can lead back to the same study. Read what each source supports.
ITU’s 2025 Facts and Figures presents global and regional connectivity estimates and gaps in access, affordability and quality.
What remains uncertain
These are 2025 estimates, not a live 2026 census or evidence of a single global polity.
Method and source passage
Institutional primary description; introductory synthesis
Overview; measuring digital development and remaining divides
Findex 2025 is based on nationally representative surveys of about 148,000 adults in 141 economies conducted during 2024.
What remains uncertain
Adult survey populations and survey year differ from ITU all-population modeled estimates.
Method and source passage
Primary research/institutional source, bounded finding
Report overview
The 2025 edition adds globally comparable indicators on mobile ownership, internet use and digital safety, with gaps by sex and income.
What remains uncertain
Coverage, use and safety measure different aspects of connectivity.
Method and source passage
Primary research/institutional source, bounded finding
Report overview
Questions that remain
- What does being connected actually measure?
- Which independent evidence would refine or challenge this account?
Connectivity
A survey of financial inclusion and republished connectivity statistics use different data and cannot be treated as equivalent measures.
Limit: These are 2025 estimates, not a live 2026 census or evidence of a single global polity.
ITU: Facts and Figures 2025 ↓Comparing measurements
A global estimate and an adult household survey can illuminate different parts of the digital divide without being treated as interchangeable counts.
Limit: Do not combine denominators, fieldwork years or definitions into a synthetic population total.
World Bank, Global Findex2025 report and methodology overview ↓Sources you can inspect
ITU: Facts and Figures 2025 ↗
ITU’s 2025 Facts and Figures presents global and regional connectivity estimates and gaps in access, affordability and quality.
- Passage or section
- Overview; measuring digital development and remaining divides
Access and source overlap
Institutional primary web account inspected 27 October 2026; no fieldwork or independent peer review claimed
Several links may describe the same research. Shared authors or data can limit how much independent confirmation they provide.
World Bank, Global Findex2025 report and methodology overview ↗
A distinct adult survey series measures phone ownership, internet use and digital safety.
- Passage or section
- Report overview: survey basis and digital connectivity indicators
Access and source overlap
Primary publisher report overview inspected; full report not reanalysed
Several links may describe the same research. Shared authors or data can limit how much independent confirmation they provide.