How many children and young people have internet access at home?

The report develops a globally comparable estimate of how many children and young people aged 25 and under have access to fixed internet at home, positioning digital connectivity as a prerequisite for education, participation, and opportunity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on household survey data from 87 countries, it shifts the focus from household-level connectivity rates to the number of children directly affected, thereby reframing the digital divide as a child-centred equity issue. Through this approach, the report generates new population-weighted regional and global estimates to inform education and connectivity policy debates.

In addition to quantifying the scale of disconnection, the report conducts an equity analysis to identify structural drivers of digital exclusion, disaggregating findings by country income group, region, rural–urban residence, and household wealth. It highlights how economic development, geography, and socioeconomic status shape access, and uses this evidence to strengthen the case for targeted investments in infrastructure and inclusive digital strategies. By grounding its conclusions in rigorous methodology and disaggregated data, the report supports governments and partners in prioritising equitable connectivity as part of education system recovery and long-term development planning.