Internet Adoption Trends during COVID-19

IMF Notes, March 31, 2023

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Internet Adoption Trends during COVID-19

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Bibliographic details

• Authors: David Amaglobeli, Mengfei Gu, Mariano Moszoro, Yue Zhou, Patricia L Escalante
• Published: March 31, 2023
• Series: IMF Notes
• Pages: 9
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798400238857.068

Overview and Authors

• Title: Internet Adoption Trends during COVID-19
• Authors: David Amaglobeli, Mengfei Gu, Mariano Moszoro, Yue Zhou, Patricia L Escalante
• Publication date: March 31, 2023
• Series: IMF Notes No 2023/001
• Issue: 001
• Volume: 2023
• Pages: 9
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798400238857.068
• ISBN: 9798400238857
• ISSN: 2957-4390

Key Findings on Internet Adoption

• The paper examines the common perception that internet adoption accelerated globally during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Data show little evidence of a faster expansion of access to internet (extensive margin) across all country income groups.
• Data show strong evidence of acceleration in the improvement in the quality of connectivity (intensive margin).
• Despite a decline in internet prices over the past decade, affordability of digital services remains a concern for low-income developing countries.

Data and Evidence Emphasis

• Extensive margin (access to internet): little evidence of faster expansion across all country income groups during COVID-19.
• Intensive margin (quality of connectivity): strong evidence of acceleration in improvement during COVID-19.
• Price trends: decline in internet prices over the past decade is documented, but affordability issues persist for low-income developing countries.

Subject and Keywords

• Subject: Economic sectors, Technology
• Keywords: COVID-19, digitalization, Internet

Citation and Access Notes

• Format example provided: Chicago citation in the source includes an accessed date of 9/5/2026.
• The paper is available through the IMF eLibrary and a PDF download option is indicated on the landing page.

Source: Internet Adoption Trends during COVID-19, IMF Notes (March 31, 2023).

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• Internet Adoption Trends during COVID-19
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