The Inclusive Internet Index 2018

The Index provides an international benchmark of internet inclusion across four categories: availability, affordability, relevance and readiness. Among the countries included in the Index, the proportion of men that access the Internet is, on average, 33.5% higher than the proportion of women. Among low-income countries, the gender gap is 80.2% in favour of men. However, a number of low-income countries, including Nepal, Malawi, and Mozambique, stand out for policies designed to promote internet inclusion among women and girls, specifically digital skills training and STEM education. The 2018 Index is accompanied by a new Value of the Internet survey, which canvassed 4,267 internet users across 85 countries to assess the impact it has on their lives. The survey reveals that the internet is a source of empowerment, especially to citizens in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Just under six in ten respondents in the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia agree that the “use of the internet has helped me become more independent”. However, the survey also reveals that privacy and security concerns are limiting internet use, especially in Europe. In all, 85% of respondents say privacy concerns have limited their use of the internet to some degree.