KEY POINTS
- Pakistan’s household internet use has surged from 34% (2019) to over 70% (2025), with 96% mobile access.
- Individual internet usage has tripled in five years, and the national gender divide in access has closed.
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa leads Pakistan with a 77% household internet penetration rate.
- The data provides a crucial evidence base for future policy to drive inclusive digital growth.
- Nations like the Netherlands, Norway, and Saudi Arabia report 99% of their population online.
ISLAMABAD: In a staggering leap forward for digital inclusion, over 96% of Pakistani households now have access to a mobile or smartphone, while active internet usage in homes has more than doubled, exploding from 34% in 2019 to over 70% in 2025.
According to the latest official government survey, this unprecedented surge is reshaping the nation at breakneck speed, weaving millions of new users into the fabric of the online world.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has hailed the findings of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics’ (PBS) Household Integrated Economic Survey as a landmark achievement, marking a definitive turning point in the country’s digital development.
From Luxury to Necessity: Mobile Phones Near Ubiquity
The data underscores a seismic shift where the mobile phone has transitioned from a luxury to a near-universal utility. The near-total household access rate of 96% provides the foundation for the internet boom. Officials credit this leap to sustained policy efforts focused on expanding network infrastructure, improving service quality, and driving down the cost of both devices and data packages.
Individual Internet Use Triples, Gender Divide Reverses in Cities
The most dramatic transformation is visible at the individual level. Internet usage among people aged 10 and above has more than tripled in just five years, soaring from a mere 17% in 2019 to 57% in 2025.
A particularly promising finding is the closing of the digital gender gap. The survey reveals that women and men now use the internet at equal rates nationwide. In a historic reversal within urban centres, 71% of women are online, surpassing the 67% rate for men, signalling significant strides in digital empowerment and access.
KP Leads Regional Charge, Digital Literacy Grows
The province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is leading the regional charge, boasting the highest household internet penetration rate in the country at 77%, demonstrating that digital progress is effectively reaching beyond major metropolitan centres.
Beyond the raw connectivity statistics, the survey indicates the emergence of a more maturing digital society, with noted improvements in digital awareness, safer online practices, and enhanced digital capabilities among citizens—essential foundations for a sustainable, future-proof digital economy.
Data to Drive Future Policy
The PTA commended the PBS for providing a robust, evidence-based snapshot of the nation’s digital landscape. This data is now considered crucial for informing future regulatory planning and targeted policy initiatives aimed at bridging remaining gaps and fostering inclusive growth.
The numbers present a clear narrative: Pakistan’s long-anticipated digital dawn has arrived, heralding a new era of connectivity that holds profound implications for education, commerce, governance, and social mobility.
Top 10 Countries by Mobile Phone Users
Asia dominates global mobile connectivity, with China leading at an estimated 1.81 billion users and a penetration rate exceeding 123%. India follows as the second-largest market with approximately 1.09 billion subscribers.
The list includes diverse economies, from the United States (411 million users) and Indonesia (352 million) to rapidly growing markets like Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, each with user bases near or exceeding 190 million.
High penetration rates in countries like Japan (157%) and Russia (1.5 phones per person) highlight the near-saturation of mobile technology in many parts of the world.
Global Internet Usage and Demographics
As of 2025, Northern Europe leads all world regions in internet penetration. Countries like the Netherlands, Norway, and Saudi Arabia have achieved near-universal access, with 99 percent of their populations online. Conversely, North Korea ranks last worldwide, with virtually no internet access for its general population.
According to global digital reports for 2024-2025, in terms of total users, Eastern Asia is home to the largest online population, with over 1.34 billion internet users. Southern Asia follows closely with approximately 1.2 billion users. At the national level, China, India, and the United States continue to lead the world in the absolute number of internet users.
Global Digital Divide: Gender Disparity in Access
Worldwide demographics reveal a persistent gender gap in internet access. As of 2024, the share of female internet users globally was 65 percent, which is five percent less than that of men. This disparity is most pronounced in African countries, where the gap can be as wide as 10 percent. Other regions, such as the Commonwealth of Independent States and Europe, show a significantly smaller usage gap between men and women.
