Excerpt: Prepared by Deloitte for the DPA, this report will help improve the wider public’s understanding of digital poverty.
Year Published: 2023
Date Published: 02/10/2023
Author/s: Deloitte
Key Takeaways:
- The report provides new estimates of the number of people that are impacted by digital poverty. By adopting a truly inclusive definition, the research finds that the problem is far more pervasive than often assumed.
- Millions of people are impacted by digital poverty:
- Approximately 13-19 million people over the age of 16 are experiencing some form of digital poverty.
- Digital Poverty is strongly associated with age. The research estimates that 1 in 2 older adults are in digital poverty, and 1 in 5 are in severe digital poverty.
- However, it is not just older adults who are impacted. Approximately 20% of children are in digital poverty.
- People who are unemployed are estimated to be 2-3 times more likely to be in digital poverty.
- But the report finds that billions of pounds in benefits can be unlocked by government, individuals, and business if digital poverty is ended.
- Ending digital poverty creates massive benefits:
- Approximately £17 billion increase in yearly earnings due to 6 million people gaining essential digital skills for work.
- An estimated increase of £4-6 billion a year due to 7-9 million people being able to manage their finances better due to digital access.
- Almost £1 billion is estimated in government efficiency savings.
- However, the benefits to society are not only economic; the research estimates that improved digital access along with improved health literacy could reduce mortality among the over 65’s and lead to an estimated 18-24k lives saved per year.