Global connectivity gap: India falls behind as Switzerland claims top spot

The index, which scores countries based on four key criteria – internet users, connected devices, natural disaster vulnerability, and GDP – shows Switzerland achieving a leading score of 34.41, while India, subject to one of the highest natural disaster risks, scores 8.59. 

The nearly fourfold difference highlights how geographical, economic, political, and technological disparities continue to shape the global connectivity landscape.

Ranking in the top 5 on the index, Switzerland, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Finland, and Norway all showed strong economic capacity and digital engagement, with notable differences in natural disaster vulnerability:

  • Switzerland leads with a GDP per capita of USD $105,612, a connected devices score of 1.2, and 91.4% of the population having internet access. It has a very low natural disaster vulnerability score of 1.05.

  • Singapore follows with a GDP per capita of USD $90,993, a relatively higher connected devices score of 1.69, and 81.1% of the population having internet access. It has a low natural disaster vulnerability score of 0.8.

  • The United Arab Emirates holds a GDP per capita of USD $49,428, a higher connected devices score of 2.05, and 95.2% of the population having internet access. Its natural disaster vulnerability score is moderately higher at 4.54.

  • Finland reports a GDP per capita of USD $54,489, a connected devices score of 1.71, and the highest internet access among the group at 97.7%. It maintains a low natural disaster vulnerability score of 1.54.

  • Norway rounds out the top five with a GDP per capita of USD $90,332, a connected devices score of 1.1, and 94.8% of the population having internet access. It has a moderately low natural disaster vulnerability score of 2.61.

Occupying the lower tier of the index, India, Peru, the Philippines, Iraq, and Mexico face significant challenges with lower GDP, internet access, and varying natural disaster vulnerability risks:

  • India ranks lowest with a GDP per capita of USD 2,680, a connected devices score of 0.79, and 62.6% of the population having internet access, a hallmark of the large proportion of the country that is rural rather than urban. It also has an extremely high natural disaster vulnerability score of 41.0, marking the significant challenges faced by nations frequently hit by large-scale natural events.

  • Peru follows with a GDP per capita of USD 8,280, a connected devices score of 1.2, and 46.5% of the population having internet access. Its natural disaster vulnerability score is relatively high at 27.0.

  • The Philippines has a GDP per capita of USD 4,058, a higher connected devices score of 1.52, and 64.1% of the population having internet access. It faces the highest natural disaster vulnerability score on the index at 46.9.

  • Iraq reports a GDP per capita of USD 5,737, a moderate connected devices score of 1.11, and 43.4% of the population having internet access. It has a lower natural disaster vulnerability score compared to others in this group at 9.24.

  • Mexico completes the bottom five with a GDP per capita of USD 14,123, a connected devices score of 0.96, and 75.1% of the population having internet access. It has a high natural disaster vulnerability score of 35.9.

Countries at the lower end of the index are often hindered by a combination of factors, including underdeveloped broadband infrastructure, particularly in rural or remote areas; high poverty levels that make devices and connectivity unaffordable for many; political instability or corruption which can delay digital investment; and geographic hurdles such as mountainous terrain or island fragmentation. 

These elements are directly reflected in the index scores, which combine both quantitative metrics like penetration rates and qualitative factors such as affordability and infrastructure readiness.

Examining the data on a continent-by-continent basis highlights Europe’s clear dominance in global connectivity rankings, with seven of the top ten most connected countries located on the continent. This strong performance is driven by Europe’s high GDP per capita, well-developed social infrastructure, and coordinated digital policies, such as the EU Digital Single Market. 

Significant public investment in broadband and cross-border infrastructure further supports connectivity, while education systems emphasise digital skills from an early age. Universal service mandates and affordable broadband initiatives also play a crucial role in ensuring widespread digital access across the region.

Notably missing from the top five is the United Kingdom, ranked 12th with a score of 29.80, and the United States, sitting at 14th with a score of 27.61. Despite strong internet access, both countries fall behind due to lower connected device scores and, in the US’s case ,a high vulnerability to natural disasters. The results highlight a surprising digital connectivity gap in two of the world’s most advanced economies.

Regions such as Africa and South Asia remain near the lower end of the index. In general, these countries face challenges including fragmented policies, limited investment capacity, and geographic barriers that hinder the development of digital infrastructure and the expansion of connectivity. 

Several countries in these regions are high-risk for natural disaster vulnerability, which further complicates efforts to build and maintain resilient digital networks. These factors continue to contribute to the significant digital divide observed between continents.

To help overcome some of these obstacles, satellite internet presents a viable solution, offering the ability to provide reliable connectivity in rural or geographically challenging areas and maintain communication even when ground infrastructure is damaged or destroyed by natural disasters.

While satellite broadband has traditionally been associated with slow speeds and high costs, particularly in remote communities, the rise of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations is transforming that perception. Promising lower latency, faster speeds, and global coverage, these next-generation systems are attracting renewed interest from both enterprise users and governments seeking resilient, high-performance connectivity solutions. However, their success depends on the performance of the ground-based infrastructure that supports them, and achieving the necessary ground station flexibility, cost-efficiency, and resilience at the scale required by LEO constellations can be a challenge.

Discussing the findings, Kevin Dunne, CEO of ETL Systems, said: “The data clearly shows the significant disparities in digital access worldwide and how much work remains to achieve fair and equal connectivity. Access to reliable internet underpins economic growth, innovation, and social inclusion, yet millions of people remain offline. Bridging this digital divide must be a priority for both governments and businesses if we want to build truly connected societies.

“At ETL, our experience demonstrates that expanding connectivity can drive meaningful transformation across industries and communities. However, lasting progress requires sustained investment not only in technology – including the ground infrastructure that enables satellite connectivity – but also in the people who develop and maintain these systems. Overcoming barriers such as infrastructure gaps, affordability, and geographic challenges will need coordinated efforts, innovative solutions, and policy support to enable countries to climb the connectivity rankings and close the digital divide.”