In a significant blow to its economy, Pakistan suffered losses exceeding Rs65 billion (approximately $237.6 million) in 2023 due to widespread internet shutdowns, according to the latest data from Statista. The shutdowns, which accumulated a staggering 259 hours of total downtime, have disrupted the daily lives of nearly 83 million people across the country.
Statista, a renowned German data analytics firm, reports that Pakistan ranks 7th globally in terms of economic losses resulting from internet disruptions last year. The platform, known for its comprehensive data collection and analysis, highlights how these interruptions have severely impacted various sectors of the economy.
India, with the longest duration of internet shutdowns in 2023, faced over 470 billion user hours affected and ranks 4th on the list for economic impact, suffering a loss of over Rs161 billion and affecting more than 59 million individuals.
Russia leads the global list with the highest financial loss, enduring over 1,350 hours of internet downtime that resulted in a massive $4 billion loss, affecting 113 million users.
The data underscores the growing economic and social ramifications of internet shutdowns, emphasizing the urgent need for addressing and mitigating the impacts of such disruptions on affected populations.
