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With the rapid growth of technology in recent years, there is a growing digital divide between urban and rural areas in Bangladesh. This digital divide can have severe implications for various sectors, including economic development, education, healthcare, and others. In this data blog, we will analyze the extent of the digital divide in urban and rural areas of Bangladesh, its implications for various sectors, and explore potential solutions to bridge the gap.
Mobile and Internet Penetration
Bangladesh has seen a rapid growth in mobile phone penetration, with over 184 million mobile phone subscribers as of 2022. The mobile phone penetration rate in Bangladesh is approximately 111%, which means that there are more mobile phones than people in the country. However, when it comes to internet penetration, there is a significant divide between urban and rural areas. According to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, the internet penetration rate in urban areas was around 83% in December 2020, while in rural areas, it was only around 59%. This means that approximately 40% of the rural population in Bangladesh does not have access to the internet.
Computer Usage
Computer usage is still not widespread in rural areas of Bangladesh. According to a survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, only around 1.7% of households in rural areas own a computer, while in urban areas, the percentage is much higher at around 18.8%.
Implications for Various Sectors
The digital divide in urban and rural areas of Bangladesh can have severe implications for various sectors, including economic development, education, healthcare, and agriculture.
Economic Development: The digital divide can severely impact economic development in rural areas. With limited access to information technology, businesses in rural areas are at a disadvantage compared to their counterparts in urban areas. This can lead to slower economic growth in rural areas.
Education: The digital divide can also impact the quality of education in rural areas. Students in urban areas have access to a wide range of online resources, while students in rural areas have limited access. This difference in access to information can widen the gap in educational outcomes between urban and rural areas.
Healthcare: With the growth of telemedicine and online health services, the internet has become an essential tool for healthcare. However, the digital divide can severely impact the quality of healthcare in rural areas. Patients in rural areas have limited access to online health services, which can affect their health outcomes.
Agriculture: Agriculture is a critical sector in Bangladesh, employing a significant portion of the workforce. However, the lack of access to information technology can severely impact the productivity of farmers in rural areas. Farmers in urban areas have access to online resources, which can help them improve their farming practices and increase productivity.
Potential Solutions
To bridge the digital divide in urban and rural areas of Bangladesh, the government can take several steps. One of the most crucial steps is to improve internet infrastructure in rural areas. The government can work with private companies to provide internet services in rural areas at affordable rates. Additionally, the government can invest in training programs to teach digital skills to people in rural areas.
Another potential solution is to provide subsidies to households in rural areas to purchase computers. This can help improve computer usage in rural areas and reduce the digital divide between urban and rural areas.
Conclusion
The digital divide in urban and rural areas of Bangladesh can have severe implications for various sectors, including economic development, education, healthcare, and agriculture. While there has been rapid growth in mobile phone penetration in Bangladesh, there is still a significant gap in internet and computer usage between urban and rural areas. This gap can limit the potential for economic growth in rural areas, impact the quality of education and healthcare, and reduce the productivity of farmers.
To bridge the digital divide, the government and private companies need to work together to improve internet infrastructure in rural areas and provide affordable internet services. Additionally, training programs and subsidies can help improve digital skills and computer usage in rural areas. By bridging the digital divide, Bangladesh can improve economic growth, enhance the quality of education and healthcare, and increase productivity in the agricultural sector.