About 42% mobile users still offline in Bangladesh: BBS

Nearly 41.6 per cent of mobile phone users in Bangladesh remain without internet access, with women disproportionately affected, according to the latest ICT usage survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).

The survey shows that around 89.4 per cent of the population uses mobile phones, while 73 per cent of households own smartphones.

BBS data indicates that the country’s individual internet penetration stands at 58.4 percent of the total population—equivalent to about 99.18 million people.

Despite growing connectivity, a significant digital divide persists, particularly in access to mobile internet services.

According to data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Global Digital Insights, Bangladesh still ranks behind more than 100 countries in internet usage globally and lags behind most South Asian peers in digital access and connectivity.

Experts say the findings highlight ongoing challenges in bridging the country’s digital gap, particularly among women and rural populations, despite rising smartphone adoption.