The Global 5G Divide

The rollout of 5G technology remains far from bridging the global digital divide. Quite the contrary, the connectivity gap between high-income and low-income regions has widened in recent years. According to the International Telecommunication Union, 5G networks covered 55 percent of the world’s population at the end of 2025, but access is highly uneven. As highlighted by our infographic, in high-income countries, over 80 percent of the population now enjoys 5G coverage, while in low-income countries, less than 5 percent do. The urban-rural gap is also particularly pronounced: globally, 66 percent of urban residents have 5G access, compared to just 40 percent in rural areas (a 26 percentage point difference)​⁠.

Regions like East Asia, led by China, South Korea, and Japan, are at the forefront of 5G deployment, with China alone surpassing the 1 billion 5G connections mark in 2024 and reaching near-universal urban coverage. South Korea was the first to launch 5G and now enjoys nearly 100 percent coverage nationwide, followed by countries such as Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Singapore and Japan (98 to 99 percent)​⁠. North America, particularly the United States and Canada, also shows coverage and adoption above the global average, with over 300 million 5G connections and rapid expansion in both urban and suburban areas​⁠.

In contrast, much of Africa and some parts of South Asia and Latin America remain far behind. For example, it was estimated that only 12 percent of the African population would be covered by 5G by the end of 2025, with rural areas often completely unserved​. Elsewhere in the world, countries like India, while making progress (40 percent 5G coverage in 2025), still face significant barriers due to infrastructure costs and regulatory challenges.

The ITU emphasizes that closing the global connectivity divide requires not only massive infrastructure investment in developing countries, but also policies addressing affordability, digital skills and equitable access. Without targeted action, the gap is likely to widen in the coming years, leaving rural and low-income populations even further behind in the digital economy.