Chattogram leads in smartphone use, Dhaka ahead in internet usage: BBS Survey

Around 73 per cent of households in Bangladesh now own smartphones, according to a new survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).

The survey shows a regional contrast: the Chattogram Division leads in smartphone ownership at 86 per cent of households, compared to 82 per cent in the Dhaka Division. However, Dhaka leads in individual internet usage.

The findings were presented on Thursday (April 16) at a seminar in Agargaon by project director Syeda Marufa Shaki. Statistics and Informatics Division Secretary Aleya Akter attended as chief guest.

The survey ranks Feni at the top in smartphone usage, followed by Cumilla, Chattogram, Noakhali, Brahmanbaria, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Dhaka, Chandpur and Shariatpur.

At the lower end are Gaibandha, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Nilphamari, Sherpur, Jhalokathi, Kurigram and Panchagarh.

Despite lower smartphone penetration, Dhaka leads in internet use at 66 per cent, closely followed by Chattogram at 65 per cent. Nationally, 55 per cent of households have internet access.

The survey also highlights how people use the internet: 64 per cent use it to check government job circulars, 50 per cent for sports-related information, while only 11.6 per cent use it for online purchase of goods or services.

The study reveals significant gaps in digital literacy. While 84 per cent of respondents can copy and paste text, only 15 per cent can transfer files between devices.

Officials at the seminar noted that Chattogram’s higher smartphone usage may be linked to its large expatriate population, which increases access to mobile devices and connectivity.