Market size

Over 5.4 billion people worldwide have at least one mobile subscription and approximately 4.3 billion people use or own a smartphone. 17 Due to the rapid proliferation of smartphones and mobile devices, over 57 per cent of the world is using mobile internet, with most growth in mobile internet and smartphone adoption in 2022 coming from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The smartphone industry is one of the fastest growing in the world, with projections indicating an increase from 485 billion dollars in 2022 to 793 billion dollars by 2029. 18 Smartphones are available through three major channels. In 2021, nearly half of global smartphones were sold through e-commerce, followed by one third in retailers and branded stores. 19

The rapid increase in smartphone ownership has not been homogenous, with 76 per cent of inhabitants of high-income countries owning smartphones compared to 45 per cent in emerging markets. 20 These numbers drop further when considering low-income countries. For example, as of 2022, smartphone ownership is merely at 21 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa and 35 per cent in South Asia. Furthermore, there are regional disparities in mobile connectivity with nearly 70 per cent of sub-Saharan Africa still using 3G, unlike the rest of the world where a majority use 4G.

Despite the potential for smartphones to act as assistive devices, people with disabilities in LMICs are significantly less likely to own a smartphone compared to people without disabilities. A GSMA study in seven countries found that the disability

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gap ranged from 16 per cent in Nigeria to 76 per cent in Algeria (see figure II). Bridging this gap is vital to digital inclusion.

Figure II: Disability Gap in smartphone ownership

bar chart

Image Description

The image is a horizontal bar chart comparing the employment rates of persons with disabilities and non-disabled persons in six countries. The chart also shows the "Disability Gap," which is the difference in employment rates between these two groups. Here are the details:

  • Algeria:
    • Persons with disabilities: 15%
    • Non-disabled persons: 63%
    • Disability Gap: 76%
  • Guatemala:
    • Persons with disabilities: 31%
    • Non-disabled persons: 53%
    • Disability Gap: 40%
  • India:
    • Persons with disabilities: 23%
    • Non-disabled persons: 35%
    • Disability Gap: 33%
  • Kenya:
    • Persons with disabilities: 12%
    • Non-disabled persons: 41%
    • Disability Gap: 72%
  • Nigeria:
    • Persons with disabilities: 37%
    • Non-disabled persons: 44%
    • Disability Gap: 16%
  • Pakistan:
    • Persons with disabilities: 11%
    • Non-disabled persons: 32%
    • Disability Gap: 65%

The bars for persons with disabilities are in a darker blue, while the bars for non-disabled persons are in a lighter blue. The percentages are displayed at the end of each bar.

Source: GSMA State of Mobile Disability Gap Report 2021

This report explores the smartphone market and products with a focus on accessibility features.