Internet shutdowns in 2023 have cost Pakistan’s economy over Rs65 billion, or $237.6 million, impacting nearly 83 million people. According to Statista’s latest data, the total shutdown duration reached 259 hours.
Pakistan ranks 7th among countries most affected by internet shutdowns in terms of monetary loss over the past year.
India tops the list of countries with the longest internet shutdowns in 2023, blocking access for over 470 billion user hours. However, in terms of financial impact from these shutdowns, India ranks fourth, according to Statista.
Russia tops the list as the country most affected by internet shutdowns in monetary terms, with over 1,350 hours of disruption causing a loss of more than $4 billion and impacting 113 million users in 2023. India ranks fourth, with a total loss exceeding Rs161 billion, affecting over 59 million people.
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The top 25 countries with the most internet shutdowns are:
1. Russia
2. Ethiopia
3. Myanmar
4. Iran
5. India
6. Iraq
7. Pakistan
8. Algeria
9. Senegal
10. Azerbaijan
11. Guinea
12. Brazil
13. Mauritania
14. Yemen
15. Venezuela
16. Kenya
17. Sudan
18. Syria
19. Turkey
20. Gabon
21. Tanzania
22. Cuba
23. Chad
24. Zimbabwe
25. Suriname
As of 2023, Iceland leads the global internet freedom index with a score of 94 out of 100. Estonia ranks second, and Canada is third. The top 20 also features the United States, Germany, Japan, France, Australia, the UK, Italy, South Korea, Kenya, and South Africa.
