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Mobile Gender Gap Report 2025: Stagnation of Progress in Low and Middle-Income Countries

The latest findings from the GSMA's Mobile Gender Gap Report 2025 reveal a concerning standstill in the efforts to close the gender gap in mobile internet usage within Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). According to the report published on May 14, 2025, women in these nations are still 14% less likely to use mobile internet compared to their male counterparts, highlighting a significant barrier to digital equality.

Key Findings

The statistics are alarming: approximately 885 million women in LMICs are without mobile internet access, particularly in regions like South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The report surveyed data from 15 LMICs, emphasizing the various challenges women face in accessing and utilizing mobile internet. Despite the fact that 63% of women in these countries do use mobile internet, persistent gender disparities are evident. The gap has diminished marginally from 25% in 2017 to 15% in 2020, but stagnation between 2021 and 2022 stalled any further progress.

Claire Sibthorpe, head of digital inclusion at GSMA commented, “It is disappointing that progress on closing the mobile internet gender gap has stalled. The data underscores the urgent need for a consolidated focus and investment from all stakeholders to bridge this divide.” The sociocultural implications of this disparity are profound, as they are rooted in systemic issues that disproportionately affect women, making their advancement into the digital age all the more critical.

Obstacles to Access

Despite 61% of women owning smartphones, the reality remains stark, with 945 million women still lacking this essential technology. The high cost of entry-level smartphones exacerbates the issue, costing women on average 24% of their monthly income, which is double the percentage compared to men. Such financial burdens significantly hinder women’s ability to connect with the online world.

Moreover, even for those connected, women utilize mobile internet less frequently and for fewer services, primarily citing affordability, security concerns, and issues with connectivity as main hurdles. The findings from the report illustrate a dire need for tailored solutions that address these specific issues to facilitate better access and utilization of mobile internet for women.

The Importance of Connectivity

Mobile internet significantly impacts women's lives by enhancing communication, securing livelihoods, and improving access to essential services, including healthcare and financial opportunities. Many surveyed women reported a positive difference in their lives due to mobile internet access, indicating its crucial role in fostering development and empowerment.

Nevertheless, the data also reveals a concerning paradox: while women are often beneficiaries of mobile technology's advantages, they remain trapped in a cycle of disconnection due to the barriers they experience. Investing in female-centric mobile internet initiatives could potentially drive significant change.

Looking Ahead

The GSMA has launched the Connected Women Commitment Initiative aimed at propelling change through targeted actions addressing women's barriers. Since its inception in 2016, this initiative has reached over 80 million additional women with mobile internet or mobile money services. These efforts exemplify the possibilities that concerted action can yield.

As the landscape evolves, addressing these gender gaps in mobile internet access is not just a matter of equality but also a developmental imperative. The path towards digital equity for women in low and middle-income countries requires persistent collaborative efforts among governments, corporations, and civil society to dismantle the long-standing barriers affecting women’s access to technology. In conclusion, bridging this gap not only empowers women but can also catalyze economic growth and innovation in LMICs.

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For more detailed insights and data, refer to Mobile Gender Gap Report 2025.