Ministry of IT & Telecom Records Landmark Progress in Women's Digital Inclusion as Mobile Internet Gender Gap Falls to Historic 8% .

Pakistan has achieved a major milestone in digital inclusion, with the latest GSMA Consumer Survey 2026 revealing significant progress in women's mobile internet adoption and a substantial reduction in the mobile internet gender gap.

According to the findings, women's mobile internet adoption in Pakistan has increased from just 8 percent in 2017 to 53 percent in 2025, reflecting a remarkable transformation in digital access and participation among women across the country. At the same time, Pakistan's mobile internet gender gap has narrowed dramatically from 71 percent in 2017 to 25 percent in 2024 and is now down to 8% in 2025, representing the lowest level recorded to date.

The survey further highlights that women adopted mobile internet at a faster rate than men over the past year, contributing significantly to the accelerated narrowing of the digital gender divide.

Welcoming the findings, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication stated that the results reflect Pakistan's growing momentum towards a more inclusive digital future and underscore the importance of expanding affordable connectivity, digital literacy, and access to technology for women.

The Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Ms Shaza Khawaja said. "The increasing participation of women in Pakistan's digital ecosystem is a positive indicator of the country's progress towards digital inclusion and socio-economic empowerment. Greater access to mobile internet enables women to participate more actively in education, entrepreneurship, financial services, healthcare, and the broader digital economy."  

The report also shows that overall mobile internet adoption in Pakistan has risen significantly, reaching 58 percent of the adult population in 2025, compared to just 26 percent in 2017. This growth demonstrates the expanding reach of digital services and connectivity nationwide.

The findings also indicate that many women continue to face constraints in accessing personal digital devices. Approximately 28 percent of women mobile internet users access the internet through someone else's device, highlighting the need for greater access to affordable smartphones and digital tools.

Importantly, the report underscores the substantial economic opportunity associated with further reducing the digital gender divide. According to GSMA estimates, closing the mobile internet gender gap in Pakistan over an eight-year period could generate an additional US$55 billion in GDP, creating new opportunities for economic growth, innovation, productivity, and inclusion.

The Ministry reiterated its commitment to advancing the Government's Digital Nation Pakistan vision by promoting universal connectivity, strengthening digital skills, supporting affordable device access, and creating an enabling environment for women and girls to participate fully in the digital economy.