The latest GSMA Intelligence report shows steady progress in mobile data affordability across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with notable improvements in access to 5 GB data plans and stable pricing for 1 GB of mobile data. However, the study also highlights persistent challenges for low-income users and women, who continue to face higher affordability barriers.
1 GB Data Now Affordable in Most Regions
For the first time, the majority of countries in every region have met the 1 GB affordability target, marking a key milestone toward digital inclusion.
Across LMICs, the affordability of 1 GB of data remained stable in 2024.
Sub-Saharan Africa saw significant improvement, with almost one-third of countries recording affordability gains of over 10 percent.
In contrast, Europe & Central Asia and Latin America & the Caribbean experienced slight declines in affordability.
The GSMA Intelligence chart shows that the median cost of 1 GB of mobile data in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has gradually declined from $4.2 in 2020 to $3.7 in 2024, marking an overall improvement in affordability.
In 2020, 1 GB cost $4.2, equivalent to 2.1 percent of monthly GDP per capita.
By 2021, affordability improved as the cost dropped to $3.9 (1.6 percent).
The lowest affordability ratio was recorded in 2023, when 1 GB cost $3.7 and accounted for just 1.2 percent of monthly GDP.
In 2024, while the price remained stable at $3.7, affordability slightly declined to 1.3 percent of monthly GDP per capita.
Overall trend:
Between 2020 and 2024, LMICs achieved a steady reduction in both the cost and affordability ratio of 1 GB of data, reflecting progress in making mobile internet more accessible, though improvements slowed after 2022.
5 GB Data More Affordable Than Ever
The GSMA Intelligence analysis shows that the affordability of 5 GB of data improved across most regions as operators reduced tariffs in response to higher demand for mobile internet.
Of the 130 LMICs analyzed, 47 percent have not yet met the 5 GB affordability target (less than 2 percent of monthly income), a small improvement from 50 percent in 2023.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the only region where most countries still exceed the affordability threshold for 5 GB of data.
For 20 GB plans, affordability remains largely unchanged, though Europe & Central Asia and Latin America & the Caribbean saw more than half of countries improve by over 10 percent.
Progress Toward Global Affordability Targets
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has set a global goal for entry-level broadband to cost less than 2 percent of monthly income per capita, and for the bottom 40 percent of earners.
In 2024, 45 countries (34 percent) still did not meet the 1 GB affordability target, down from 48 countries (36 percent) in 2023.
85 LMICs (63 percent) failed to meet the 2 percent target for the bottom 40 percent of the population, underscoring affordability challenges for the poorest households.
For 5 GB plans, 95 LMICs (73 percent) exceeded the 2 percent income threshold for the poorest 40 percent, showing how affordability gaps widen for larger data bundles.
Gender Gaps in Data Affordability
The report reveals persistent gender disparities in mobile data and device affordability:
On average, 1 GB of data represents 2 percent of monthly income for women, compared to 1 percent for men.
The cost of an entry-level smartphone accounts for 23 percent of women’s monthly income, versus 12 percent for men.
The gap is especially pronounced in South Asia and the Middle East & North Africa, where women face lower wages and employment rates.
Regional Insights
Europe & Central Asia and South Asia are the only regions where more than half of countries achieved 1 GB affordability at or below 2 percent of income for the poorest 40 percent.
No region has yet met this benchmark for the poorest 20 percent, though Europe & Central Asia performs best overall.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, 1 GB of data costs 14 percent of average income, and a staggering 33 percent for the poorest 40 percent.
Conclusion
While mobile data affordability is improving globally, particularly for 1 GB and 5 GB plans, significant disparities persist across income levels, genders, and regions. The GSMA Intelligence findings underscore that targeted policy action, gender-focused initiatives, and innovative pricing models will be essential to ensure equitable access to mobile internet in the coming years.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
