A significant gap in internet access continues to separate rural and urban populations in Bangladesh, with affordability and infrastructure constraints limiting digital inclusion, according to a latest official survey.
The individual-level internet usage gap between rural and urban population is 32.1 percentage points, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) survey.
Only 43.6 per cent of individuals in rural areas use the internet, compared with 75.7 per cent in urban areas.
Project Director Syeda Marufa Shaki presented the key findings of the "Survey on Measuring ICT Access and Usage" at a seminar held at the BBS auditorium in the city on Thursday, while Aleya Akter, Secretary of the Statistics and Informatics Division, attended as the chief guest.
According to the survey, 53.4 per cent of people nationwide use the internet. However, access remains heavily skewed towards urban areas, where more than three-quarters of residents are online, while fewer than half of rural citizens have access.
High service costs appear to be a key barrier, with 43.6 per cent of respondents citing affordability as a reason for not using internet services.
Mobile phone usage remains widespread, with 88.4 per cent of the population using mobile devices, although only 64.4 per cent own one. In contrast, computer usage remains limited, with just 11.3 per cent of citizens reporting access.
At the regional level, Dhaka records the highest household internet penetration at 77.1 per cent, which is 22 percentage points above the national average. In contrast, Sherpur has the lowest rate at 25.9 per cent -- 29.2 percentage points below the national average.
A similar pattern is observed in computer usage, which is highest in Dhaka and lowest in Thakurgaon.
The survey also highlights user behaviour, with 64.4 per cent of internet users searching for government jobs, followed by 49.8 per cent accessing sports-related content over the last three months. Only 11.6 per cent reported engaging in online shopping.
In terms of digital skills, 84.4 per cent of users can perform basic functions such as copy and paste, but more advanced capabilities remain limited.
Only a small share of users can perform complex tasks such as file transfers, indicating a gap between access and effective usage.
Despite this, 78.5 per cent of users reported taking immediate action after facing cyber incidents. However, cybersecurity risks remain notable, with 50.5 per cent identifying viruses and malware as the most common threats.
The report also points to shifting media consumption patterns. The share of households using radio increased to 15.3 per cent in 2024-25 from 12.8 per cent in 2022, while television usage declined to 59.6 per cent from 62 per cent over the same period.
Explaining the trend, Kabir Uddin Ahmed, Director of the Computer Wing at BBS, said radio usage now includes access through mobile phones and other devices such as rechargeable lights. Coastal populations, in particular, still rely on radio for weather updates, he added, although the reasons behind declining television usage remain unclear.
jahid.rn@gmail.com
