📅This fact may be outdated
The original fact uses statistics that are significantly out of date. World population, computer ownership, and telephone/mobile phone penetration have all increased dramatically since the implied timeframe of the original statement. The global population is now over 8 billion, computer ownership is in the billions, and mobile phone penetration is over 70% of the world's unique population.
Approximately 365 million people in the world have computers while half of the world's 6.5 billion population has never seen or used a telephone.
The Digital Revolution: Connecting Our World
The speed at which technology advances can make even seemingly recent facts quickly obsolete. Take, for instance, the notion that 'approximately 365 million people in the world have computers while half of the world's 6.5 billion population has never seen or used a telephone.' While this statement might have held some truth in a bygone era, the digital landscape of today, December 2025, tells a vastly different story.
Our world has grown significantly, now home to over 8 billion individuals. This growth has been paralleled by an even more explosive expansion in technological access, fundamentally altering how we communicate, learn, and engage with the global community. The statistics that once painted a picture of widespread digital exclusion have been dramatically overturned by innovation and adoption.
A World of Computers: Beyond the Millions
The idea of only 365 million people having computers is a relic of the past. Today, the global installed base of personal computers (PCs) alone stands at over 2 billion units. This means that, conservatively, at least 2 billion people have access to a personal computer, a number that far surpasses the outdated figure. Many households and individuals own multiple devices, indicating an even broader reach of computational power.
While mobile devices have become the primary gateway to the internet for many, PCs continue to play a crucial role in productivity, education, and entertainment. The market for personal computing remains robust, with ongoing upgrades and the emergence of new technologies like AI-powered PCs further solidifying their place in our connected lives. From home offices to bustling schools, computers are an integral part of the modern experience for a significant portion of humanity.
The Ubiquity of Telephones: A Global Connection
Perhaps the most striking change is in telephone access. The claim that half of a 6.5 billion population had never seen or used a telephone suggests a time when telecommunications were a luxury rather than a near-universal utility. In stark contrast, current data for December 2025 reveals that approximately 5.8 billion unique individuals across the globe now use a mobile phone. This translates to an astounding 70-71% of the world's total population carrying a device capable of instant communication.
This unprecedented mobile phone penetration means that for a vast majority, the ability to connect, send messages, and access information is literally in their hands. While a segment of the global population still lacks access, the scale of exclusion is nowhere near the historical levels once depicted. Even in regions where traditional infrastructure might be limited, mobile networks have bridged gaps, bringing communication to previously isolated communities.
The Evolving Digital Divide
While the original fact highlights a significant digital divide, the nature of this divide has evolved. It's no longer about whether someone has 'seen' a telephone, but rather about the quality of access, affordability, digital literacy, and the type of device. The gap today often lies between those with advanced smartphones and high-speed internet versus those with basic feature phones and limited data plans.
Governments, non-profits, and technology companies continue to work towards universal access, recognizing that connectivity is increasingly a fundamental right and a driver of economic and social development. The journey to fully connect every individual is ongoing, but the progress made in the last few decades is nothing short of revolutionary.
A Connected Future
The transformation from a world where computers and telephones were relatively scarce to one where they are nearly ubiquitous underscores humanity's rapid embrace of technology. The outdated fact serves as a powerful reminder of how far we've come and how quickly our understanding of global connectivity can change. In December 2025, our world is undeniably more interconnected than ever before, fostering new opportunities and challenges in the digital age.