Morocco ranks 87th in global internet poverty, affecting 1.6 million people

Morocco ranks 87th globally in terms of the number of individuals living in internet poverty, with 4.3% of its population, or approximately 1.6 million people, unable to afford a basic internet package, according to the 2024 Internet Poverty Index (IPI).

The Internet Poverty Index (IPI) measures who can’t afford basic internet bycalculating the cost of a standard internet package – 1 GB per month at 10 Mbps – in each country. 

This price is adjusted to make comparisons fair across countries and to check if people need to spend more than 10% of their daily income on this package. If they do, they’re considered internet poor. 

Morocco’s internet costs are relatively affordable compared to the global average, ranking 82nd with an average monthly cost of $4.4. 

Despite this, the report says that Morocco should take further affordability measures and infrastructure improvements to fully bridge the digital divide. 

Globally, the IPI reveals a mixed picture. While internet poverty rates have decreased by 14% since last year, regional disparities persist. 

Asia has witnessed a substantial reduction in internet poverty, primarily driven by progress in India and Indonesia. 

In contrast, Sub-Saharan Africa has seen an increase in internet poverty, reflecting deep-rooted economic and infrastructural challenges.

The report says that comprehensive strategies to address internet poverty are paramount and promoting economic growth to increase income levels and affordability is crucial.

The report called for implementing market regulations and fostering competition to reduce internet costs. 

The report also recommended expanding internet coverage and improving speeds through infrastructure development.

The IPI report also urged enhancing digital literacy and skills to empower individuals to effectively utilize the internet. 

The report says that countries can work towards a future where everyone has access to the transformative power of the interne if they adopt these measures and foster collaboration between governments, the private sector, and international organizations.

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