The narrative under examination
Editorial framing to examine: rising internet use means digital exclusion has been resolved. This is FellowIntel’s analytical proposition, not an attributed quotation.
What the sources establish
- ITU estimated six billion internet users in 2025, about 74% of the population.
- Approximately 2.2 billion people remained offline.
- The edition revised 2024 estimates to 5.8 billion users and 2.3 billion offline.
How to read the bigger picture
Adoption is improving, but connectivity counts do not establish meaningful participation. Revised historical estimates also mean that subtracting figures from different editions can misstate the pace of progress.
What we should keep in view
- Use estimates from the same statistical vintage for comparisons.
- Internet use does not measure quality, skills, or affordability.
- The reviewed publication covers 2025, not an October 2026 census.
What would change the picture?
- Compare affordability and skills alongside adoption.
- Use revised historical series when calculating changes.
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