The difference between the most and least expensive internet markets remains extreme.
How Costly is Internet in Pakistan Compared to Other Countries? The cost of internet access in 2025 shows major global disparities, with some countries paying over $4 per megabit while others spend only a few cents.
In 2024, Pakistan had installed a new cable connected with Africa to boost internet speed significantly.
Pakistan topped the world this year in financial losses caused by internet and social media shutdowns, incurring a loss of $1.62 billion, according to a recent report.
According to We Are Social, Pakistan ranks among the 10 most expensive countries for fixed broadband, with users paying an average of $0.53 per Mbps, higher than in the UK, South Africa, or Indonesia.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) leads the list with the world’s highest broadband cost at $4.31 per Mbps, followed by Ghana ($2.58) and Switzerland ($2.07). Kenya and Morocco complete the top five at $1.54 and $1.16, respectively. Pakistan’s position reflects limited market competition, slow fiber expansion, and infrastructure gaps, particularly in rural areas.
In contrast, Eastern Europe and parts of Asia remain far more affordable. Romania offers broadband for just $0.01 per Mbps, followed by Russia and Thailand at $0.02. Chile, Poland, and Singapore also stand out with prices around $0.03 per Mbps, supported by strong infrastructure and competitive telecom sectors.
Global Broadband Price Comparison (2025)
| Rank | Country | Price (USD per Mbps) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | U.A.E. | $4.31 |
| 2 | Ghana | $2.58 |
| 3 | Switzerland | $2.07 |
| 4 | Kenya | $1.54 |
| 5 | Morocco | $1.16 |
| 6 | Australia | $1.05 |
| 7 | Germany | $1.04 |
| 8 | Nigeria | $0.72 |
| 9 | Canada | $0.66 |
| 10 | Pakistan | $0.53 |
| 11 | South Africa | $0.50 |
| 12 | Indonesia | $0.41 |
| 13 | Hong Kong | $0.39 |
| 14 | UK | $0.36 |
| 15 | Bangladesh | $0.36 |
| 16 | Austria | $0.36 |
| 17 | Belgium | $0.36 |
| 18 | Greece | $0.34 |
| 19 | Denmark | $0.30 |
| 20 | Taiwan | $0.28 |
| 21 | Mexico | $0.26 |
| 22 | Saudi Arabia | $0.24 |
| 23 | Netherlands | $0.22 |
| 24 | Norway | $0.21 |
| 25 | Finland | $0.20 |
| 26 | Israel | $0.19 |
| 27 | Czechia | $0.18 |
| 28 | Egypt | $0.17 |
| 29 | Ireland | $0.16 |
| 30 | New Zealand | $0.15 |
| 31 | Serbia | $0.14 |
| 32 | Philippines | $0.14 |
| 33 | Sweden | $0.14 |
| 34 | Peru | $0.12 |
| 35 | Turkey | $0.11 |
| 36 | Portugal | $0.10 |
| 37 | Malaysia | $0.09 |
| 38 | Croatia | $0.08 |
| 39 | U.S. | $0.08 |
| 40 | Bulgaria | $0.08 |
| 41 | India | $0.08 |
| 42 | Brazil | $0.06 |
| 43 | France | $0.06 |
| 44 | Japan | $0.06 |
| 45 | Hungary | $0.06 |
| 46 | South Korea | $0.05 |
| 47 | China | $0.05 |
| 48 | Vietnam | $0.04 |
| 49 | Chile | $0.03 |
| 50 | Colombia | $0.03 |
| 51 | Poland | $0.03 |
| 52 | Argentina | $0.03 |
| 53 | Singapore | $0.03 |
| 54 | Russia | $0.02 |
| 55 | Thailand | $0.02 |
| 56 | Romania | $0.01 |
Global Connectivity Gap
The difference between the most and least expensive internet markets remains extreme. Broadband in the UAE costs more than 400 times the price of access in Romania. Pakistan’s inclusion among the top 10 most expensive countries shows the challenges faced by developing economies, where infrastructure and affordability do not progress at the same pace.
As digital access becomes essential for education, communication, and business, the challenge for Pakistan lies in ensuring that lower costs are matched by reliable service and broader coverage.
