Despite being the second-largest online market with over 560 million internet users, less than half of India’s population has access to the internet. As in other parts of the world, the digital divide in India increased during the pandemic.

We call on all relevant UN agencies to take concrete steps with the digital industry and governments to accelerate universal access to digital services, including public–private financing to extend connectivity to hard-to-reach populations.

In the developing world micro-businesses make up a large percentage of the economy. Internet connectivity is critical to fuel their growth and impact the economy..