Progress in narrowing the gender gap in mobile internet use across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) stalled in 2024, with women continuing to lag significantly behind men in digital access, according to the Global System for Mobile Communications Association’s (GSMA) Mobile Gender Gap Report 2025.
The report shows that women in LMICs are 14% less likely than men to use mobile internet, a disparity that leaves approximately 235 million fewer women online.
Despite some recovery in 2023, adoption rates have plateaued, with 885 million women still not using mobile internet. Nearly 60% of them are in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, where the gender gap is widest at 32% and 29%, respectively.
“It’s disheartening that progress in reducing the mobile internet gender gap has stalled. The data highlights the urgent need for increased focus and investment by all stakeholders working together to close the digital gender divide,” said Claire Sibthorpe, Head of Digital Inclusion at GSMA.
“The mobile internet gender gap is not going to close on its own. It is driven by deep-rooted social, economic, and cultural factors that disproportionately impact women.”
The annual report, now in its eighth edition, analyzes mobile access and use across 15 LMICs and the barriers women face compared to men. Mobile remains the primary mode of internet access in these markets, particularly for women, many of whom say it improves their livelihoods, connectivity, and access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and financial tools.
Growth Plateau
Between 2017 and 2020, the mobile internet gender gap narrowed considerably, from 25% to 15%. However, progress slowed between 2021 and 2022, before the gap shrank modestly to 15% in 2023. As of 2024, the figure remains largely flat at 14%.
Although 63% of women in LMICs now use mobile internet, usage remains uneven and limited. Women tend to use mobile internet less frequently and for fewer services than men, often citing safety concerns, affordability issues, and poor connectivity experiences.
Persistent Barriers
Smartphone ownership remains a significant hurdle. About 61% of women in LMICs own a smartphone, 230 million fewer than men, a figure that has not significantly changed since last year. The affordability gap also persists, with the cost of an entry-level smartphone accounting for 24% of a woman’s monthly income, compared to 12% for men.
Beyond affordability, literacy and digital skills are among the most cited barriers for women aware of mobile internet but do not use it. Even when women are online, their access remains limited by broader socio-economic challenges.
“Our Connected Women Commitment Initiative shows that by taking concrete actions to address women’s needs and the barriers they face, it is possible to drive change. Since this initiative was launched in 2016, our operator partners have collectively reached over 80 million additional women with mobile internet or mobile money services,” Sibthorpe added.
Economic Impact
According to the GSMA, closing the gender gap in mobile internet use between 2023 and 2030 could deliver a $1.3 trillion boost to GDP across LMICs. Mobile operators also stand to gain $230 billion in additional revenue by closing gaps in mobile ownership and use.
