Proportion of individuals who use an Internet-connected mobile telephone, by sex

Sub-categories

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Headline data

Proportion of US females ages 3 and older who use an Internet-connected mobile telephone
Year Value
2011 0.27
2013 0.45
2015 0.53
2017 0.65
2019 0.69
2021 0.71
2023 0.74

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Geographical Area:

Unit of Measurement:

Footnote:

This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from United States statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from American statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other American-specific metadata information.

Indicator

Proportion of individuals who use an Internet-connected mobile telephone, by sex
Organisation

U.S. Census Bureau
Unit of measure

Proportion
Data sources

U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey Computer and Internet Use Supplement
Data providers

Daniela Mejía
Comment and limitations

Data from this source are not available prior to 2011. The next CPS Computer and Internet Use Supplement is scheduled for 2025.
Method of computation

Data are derived from the Computer and Internet Use Supplement of the Current Population Survey (CPS). The Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics jointly sponsor the CPS, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration sponsors the supplement. Data are collected by the Census Bureau. Individuals using a mobile telephone: Persons age 3 and over who use an Internet-connected mobile telephone. Metadata sources: http://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/technical-documentation/complete.html
Actual indicator available - description

Proportion of individuals who use an Internet-connected mobile telephone, by sex, age 3 and over
Date of national source publication

November 2023
Periodicity

Biennial
Date metadata updated

2024-07-10
Disaggregation geography

Overall proportion available at national and state levels
Disaggregation categories

Overall proportion available by age group, employment status, income, education, sex, race and Hispanic origin, disability status, metropolitan status, and whether school-aged child in household
Time period

Since 2015, the questionnaire asks about internet and device use during the past 6 months. Earlier questionnaires did not specify a reference period.

This table provides information on metadata for SDG indicators as defined by the UN Statistical Commission. Complete global metadata is provided by the UN Statistics Division.

Indicator

Indicator 5.b.1: Proportion of individuals who own a mobile telephone, by sex
Target

Target 5.b: Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women
Organisation

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Definition and concepts

Definition:

The proportion of individuals who own a mobile telephone, by sex is defined as the ‘proportion of individuals who own a mobile telephone, by sex’.

Concepts:

An individual owns a mobile cellular phone if he/she has a mobile cellular phone device with at least one active SIM card for personal use. Mobile cellular phones supplied by employers that can be used for personal reasons (to make personal calls, access the Internet, etc.) are included. Individuals who have only active SIM card(s) and not a mobile phone device are excluded. Individuals who have a mobile phone for personal use that is not registered under his/her name are also included. An active SIM card is a SIM card that has been used in the last three months.

A mobile (cellular) telephone refers to a portable telephone subscribing to a public mobile telephone service using cellular technology, which provides access to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). This includes analogue and digital cellular systems and technologies such as IMT-2000 (3G) and IMT-Advanced. Users of both postpaid subscriptions and prepaid accounts are included.
Unit of measure

Percent (%) (of individuals)
Data sources

This indicator is a newly developed International Telecommunication Union (ITU) indicator that was approved by the World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Symposium (WTIS) in 2014. The indicator’s definition and methodology were developed under the coordination of ITU, through its Expert Groups, and following an extensive consultation process with countries. Data for the proportion of individuals owning a mobile phone were first collected in 2015 through an annual questionnaire that ITU sends to National Statistical Offices (NSO). In this questionnaire, through which ITU already collects several ICT indicators, ITU collects absolute values. The percentages are calculated a-posteriori. The survey methodology is verified to ensure that it meets adequate statistical standards. The data are verified to ensure consistency with previous years’ data and other relevant country-level indicators (ICT and economic).

Data are usually not adjusted, but discrepancies in the definition, age scope of individuals, reference period, or the break in comparability between years are noted in a data note. For this reason, data are not always strictly comparable.
Data providers

National Statistical Offices (NSOs).
Comment and limitations

While the data on the ‘proportion of individuals who own a mobile telephone’ currently only exist for very few countries, ITU is encouraging all countries to collect data on this indicator through national household surveys and the indicator is expected to be added to the Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development’s Core List of Indicators. The number of countries with official data for this indicator is expected to increase in the near future.
Method of computation

Countries can collect data on this indicator through national household surveys. This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of in-scope individuals who own a mobile phone by the total number of in-scope individuals.

  [ ( n u m b e r   o f   i n - s c o p e   i n d i v i d u a l s   o w n i n g   a   m o b i l e   p h o n e )   /   ( t o t a l   n u m b e r   o f   i n - s c o p e

i n d i v i d u a l s ) ] * 100

Metadata update

2024-07-29
International organisations(s) responsible for global monitoring

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Related indicators

4.4.1, 9.c.1, 17.6.1, 17.8.1
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