Urban-rural internet gap at 32.1pc

A notable disparity in internet access continues to separate urban and rural populations in Bangladesh, with a 32.1 percentage-point difference in usage, according to the latest survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).

The report, “Survey on Measuring the Opportunities and Usage of ICT,” was unveiled on Thursday at the BBS headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka.

Findings show that 75.7 percent of people in urban areas use the internet, compared to just 43.6percent in rural regions.

Alongside infrastructure limitations, affordability remains a key obstacle, with 43.6percent of non-users citing high costs as the main reason for staying offline.

The survey offers a broader look at the country’s digital landscape. While 88.4percent of individuals use mobile phones, only 64.4percent own a device.

Computer usage is still limited, with just 11.3percent of people using computers nationwide, and overall internet usage standing at 53.4percent. Significant regional inequalities were also highlighted.

Dhaka tops the list in terms of household internet and computer access, whereas Panchagarh and Thakurgaon rank lowest in internet connectivity and computer usage, respectively.

In terms of user behavior, 64.4percent of internet users searched for government job information in the past three months, while 49.8percent browsed sports-related content. Online shopping was relatively low, with only 11.6percent of users making purchases over the same period.

The report also assessed digital skills and security awareness. A large majority 84.4percent can perform basic functions like copy and paste. Meanwhile, 78.5percent of users reported taking immediate steps after experiencing a cyberattack.

However, cybersecurity risks remain a concern, with viruses and malware accounting for 50.5percent of online threats identified in the survey.