Ownership is lowest in Venezuela, India and the Philippines, but even in these countries about seven-in-ten adults own a mobile device. Ownership levels are highest in Vietnam, where nearly all adults (97%) own a mobile device, although about nine-in-ten or more also own one in Jordan, Tunisia, Colombia, Kenya, Lebanon and South Africa. Majorities of adults in each of the 11 emerging and developing countries surveyed report owning their own mobile phone. 6 Most adults say they own a mobile phone relatively few share one In only one country – Lebanon – does a majority (57%) have access to a working desktop, laptop or tablet computer in their household, and mobile devices play a prominent role in how people access the internet and their social networks in many of these nations. Meanwhile, access to tablets or computers is rarer. In seven of these countries, half or more now use smartphones – and smartphone use is especially common among younger and more educated groups.

Large majorities in the 11 emerging and developing countries surveyed either own or share a mobile phone, and in every country it is much more common to own one’s own phone than to share it with someone else.

Viber down spots