Chiapas is the state with the greatest digital gap in the country. Of the population aged six and over, only 64.9% have internet access; only 50.7% of households have access to this service; 62.5% of residents use a cell phone, and only 9.6% of homes are equipped with smart devices, according to the National Survey on the Availability and Use of Information Technologies in Households (ENDUTIH) conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI).
In 2024, 73.6% of households had internet access, equivalent to 28.8 million homes; The survey estimated 100.2 million internet users, equivalent to 83.1% of the population aged 6 and over, and an increase of 1.9% compared to 2023.
“Internet users in rural areas grew by 2.5% compared to 2023, yet we see these regional differences,” as is the case in Sonora, with 91.3% of users, versus Chiapas with 64.9%. “That is, the gap between these two states is 26 percentage points,” explained Mauricio Márquez Corona, vice president of the INEGI Governing Board, at a press conference.
Oaxaca remains on this critical disconnection list, with 69.2% of its inhabitants internet users, while only 55.5% of Oaxacan households have internet access. Mobile telephony accounts for 69.6% of users, and smart device penetration barely reaches 10.5%.
Guerrero completes the trio of states with the greatest lag, with 72.1% of internet users, 58.9% of connected households, 73.5% of cell phone penetration, and 11.7% of smart device adoption.
“Equitable access to these technologies is a tool capable of reducing inequalities by contributing to economic and social development. It can also support access to education, healthcare, information, citizen participation, or expand economic opportunities, just to mention a few examples,” added Márquez Corona.
At the other end of the spectrum, Sonora ranked as the state with the best indicators in terms of internet usage, with 91.3% of its population aged 6 and over, the highest cell phone penetration rate, with 90.8% of users, and shares first place in households with internet access, reaching 84.4%, tied with Mexico City.
The nation’s capital also leads in the adoption of advanced technologies, with 38% of homes equipped with smart devices. Quintana Roo stands out with 90.7% of internet users and 88% cell phone penetration. Nuevo León ranks second in households with internet access, with 83.7% and 36.7% adoption of smart devices.
Source: eleconomista
