Up to 19 million people over the age of 16 are currently experiencing some form of digital poverty, according to a report by Deloitte and the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA).

The report defined those in digital poverty as not just those who lack access to digital devices and connection, but also those lacking the necessary digital skills to engage in online settings.

Based on this definition, between a quarter to a third (24-34%) of those over the age of 16 are estimated to be in at least one dimension of digital poverty.

Of this, one in 17 are deprived across all dimensions of digital poverty, including digital skills, an inability to get online more than once a week, and a lack of appropriate devices or connections.

Digitally Divided 

The digital divide is worse across age, gender, socioeconomic indicators, and regionally split.

Age is one of the biggest factors affecting the divide, with one in two older adults living in some state of digital poverty, and one in five in severe digital poverty.

Younger adults are also more likely to be impacted than middle aged adults, as inflation and the cost-of-living crisis squeezes families and rent impact young people’s pay checks.

As such, around a fifth (20%) of children, those under the age of 16, are estimated to be impacted.

Further, there appears to be a gender divide, with women being 14-22% more likely to be in digital poverty than men.

Lower income houses are also more likely to be suffering some sort of digital poverty, and the unemployed are two to three times as likely to be in digital poverty than the employed.

Scotland and Northern Ireland appear to be the most impacted by digital connectivity, device, and participation gaps, where as Northern Ireland and Wales appear most impacted by the digital skills gap.

Scotland’s broadband woes are well documented, with its more rural and remote locations suffering the most from poor connectivity, which can hinder business growth and perpetuate cycles of poverty.

Ending Digital Poverty

The DPA estimated that the entire country is set to benefit from billions of extra pounds if they can eliminate digital poverty, with the most significant benefits to come through the forms of improved human capital and productivity.

Ensuring more people have necessary digital skills will close the digital skills gap, enabling more people to go back into lucrative work, and lessening social exclusion. This, the DPA, will balloon into more disposable income that can boost the economy in the long term.

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However, there is much work to be done to lessen the skills gap and reap these benefits.

Andrew Tong, economic advisory partner at Deloitte, said: “Digital poverty is a pervasive issue that impacts not only the oldest in society who have been unable to keep pace with technological advancements, or those with acute affordability issues, but individuals of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds.

“The report highlights eight priority areas for action that could improve digital poverty outcomes for those affected across all ages and sectors.”

These priority areas include:

1. Affordable access to appropriate devices. This could be achieved through more private-charity sector device bank initiatives.

2. Quality connectivity. Continuing and extending support for broadband connectivity, especially to those most vulnerable is key to level up digital access. Reforming social tariffs for broadband costs and investing in rural and remote communities is also paramount to making this initiative effective.

3. Upskilling and Information Sharing Support. Designing digital literacy programmes to support the growth of digital skills is vital to closing the skills gap, especially among older adults.

4. Addressing Existing Gaps in Schooling. Education reforms starting at the lowest level will be essential to prepare children for the digital age. Supporting access to devices as well as digital skills will ensure society benefits from the potential human capital this could unlock.

5. Inclusivity and Online Safety. The DPA is calling for continued efforts to make sure that the online world is accessible and safe, but that its harms are limited, especially for those most vulnerable. This includes expanding the work of the online safety bill and ensuring the private sector applies protections.

6. Novel interventions: Novel interventions to promote digital skills may be necessary, especially among the older populous which might be scared or disillusioned with new technology.

7. Improving Data and Evidence. Part of the problem is a lack of accurate data to study the problem, and its root causes. There is currently no dataset which captured all the dimensions of digital poverty.

8. The Socioeconomics of digital poverty. The socioeconomic factors driving digital poverty needs to be addressed, and will require action not just from the DPA, but from the public, private, and third sector.

Elizabeth Anderson, interim CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, commented: “We are delighted to work with Deloitte to release the report on Digital Poverty in the UK, shining a bigger spotlight on the issue at hand. The report highlights key, impactful statistics, providing evidence that more must be done to address this vital issue while highlighting the widespread nature of digital poverty.

“Digital poverty can impact an individual’s life at any age, from a child’s education to an elderly person’s ability to access services, such as online banking, and more must be done to support those in need.

“As the DPA work towards the goal of ending digital poverty by 2030, the report will act as a guiding pillar for government, businesses and stakeholders. It provides detailed insight into what must be done, as well as the positive impacts becoming a digitally inclusive nation can have, not only on those who are currently excluded, but on the UK as a whole.

“Ending digital poverty will take more than just the actions of a select few, but the collective actions of the nation, and we hope the report increases the momentum the DPA has created towards this vital cause.”