How Expensive is Internet in Pakistan Compared to the Rest of the World?

How Expensive is Internet in Pakistan Compared to the Rest of the World?

 October 4, 2025

The global cost of internet access in 2025 reveals striking differences between countries — with some users paying only a few cents per megabit while others spend several dollars.

According to a recent report by We Are Social, Pakistan ranks among the 10 most expensive countries in the world for fixed broadband, where users pay an average of $0.53 per Mbps. This is higher than in countries like the United Kingdom ($0.36), South Africa ($0.50), and Indonesia ($0.41).

UAE Tops the List of Most Expensive Internet

At the top of the list, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has the world’s highest broadband cost at $4.31 per Mbps, followed by Ghana ($2.58) and Switzerland ($2.07). Other countries such as Kenya ($1.54) and Morocco ($1.16) also feature in the top five.

Experts say Pakistan’s high internet prices are linked to limited competition, slow fiber expansion, and infrastructure challenges, especially in rural regions.

Affordable Internet in Eastern Europe and Asia

In contrast, countries in Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia enjoy some of the cheapest internet in the world.

• Romania leads with a cost of just $0.01 per Mbps,

• followed by Russia and Thailand at $0.02,

• while Chile, Poland, and Singapore offer broadband at around $0.03 per Mbps.

These countries benefit from strong telecom infrastructure, competitive markets, and widespread fiber-optic networks, keeping prices low and connectivity fast.

Global Broadband Price Comparison (2025)

Pakistan’s Connectivity Challenge

The gap between the most and least expensive internet markets remains massive — broadband in the UAE costs more than 400 times what users in Romania pay.

Pakistan’s inclusion among the top 10 most expensive countries highlights the challenges faced by developing economies, where affordability, reliability, and infrastructure growth remain uneven.

With internet access now essential for education, business, and digital inclusion, experts emphasize the need for faster fiber deployment, policy reforms, and stronger competition to make broadband more accessible and affordable for all Pakistanis.

Summary:
Pakistan ranks among the world’s most expensive countries for broadband, paying $0.53 per Mbps — nearly 50 times higher than in countries like Romania or Thailand. Analysts say improved infrastructure and open competition could help bring down costs and improve service quality.