Pakistan Tops World in Economic Losses from Internet Shutdowns

In a grim milestone, Pakistan ranked first globally in financial losses caused by internet shutdowns in 2024, according to a report by Top10VPN.com, an independent VPN reviewer. The country incurred an estimated $1.62 billion in economic damage due to deliberate disruptions of internet and social media platforms.

These losses were higher than those of countries facing civil wars, such as Myanmar and Sudan, highlighting the devastating economic impact of censorship policies.

Staggering Global Numbers

The report revealed that worldwide internet disruptions in 2024 lasted 88,788 hours, resulting in a combined financial loss of $7.69 billion. This included complete blackouts, social media shutdowns, and internet throttling, occurring 167 times across 28 countries.

While the overall global cost of shutdowns dropped by 15.8% compared to 2023, the duration of disruptions increased by 12%, signaling a troubling trend of prolonged internet blackouts.

Pakistan’s Alarming Stats

Pakistan experienced 18 deliberate internet shutdowns in 2024, primarily triggered by elections, protests, and "information control." These disruptions lasted a total of 9,735 hours, impacting over 82.9 million users.

Costliest Shutdowns in Pakistan:

1. Social Media Platform X (formerly Twitter): Ongoing shutdown since February 18, with a staggering economic impact of $1.34 billion.
2. Balochistan Internet Blackout: Between July 16 and August 21, in response to protests by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee in Gwadar, the 864-hour shutdown cost $11.8 million.
   
   

   How the Costs Are Calculated

   The report utilized the Cost of Shutdown Tool (COST) developed by NetBlocks, an organization monitoring global internet disruptions. The methodology incorporates the following factors:

   • GDP Impact: Derived from the affected country’s internet economy.
   • Duration of Outages: Total hours of disruption.
   • Affected Population: Percentage of citizens reliant on the internet for economic activity.

   This approach follows research by the Brookings Institution and CIPESA, which highlight the staggering economic toll of internet shutdowns.
   
   

   Global Context: A Regional Crisis

   Asia was the most affected region globally, with Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India among the six countries hardest hit by internet restrictions in 2024.

   Top Countries with Costliest Internet Shutdowns:

   1. Pakistan: $1.62 billion (9,735 hours).
   2. Myanmar: $1.58 billion (20,376 hours).
   3. Sudan: $1.12 billion (12,707 hours).
   4. Venezuela: $1.12 billion.
   5. Bangladesh: $796.6 million.
   6. India: $322.9 million.

   Most Disrupted Platforms Globally:

   • X (Twitter): 20,322 hours.
   • TikTok: 8,115 hours.
   • Signal: 2,880 hours.
   • Facebook: 2,091 hours.
   • Instagram: 2,010 hours.
     
     

     What Experts Say

     Simon Migliano, head of research at Top10VPN.com, criticized deliberate internet outages as acts of "national economic self-sabotage." He stated:

     “This kind of deliberate outage is internet censorship in its most extreme form. It infringes on citizens’ digital rights and causes catastrophic economic losses.”
     
     

     Impact on Pakistan’s Digital Future

     The alarming figures raise questions about Pakistan's digital policies and their economic consequences. As the country grapples with an ongoing financial crisis, these shutdowns undermine productivity, disrupt businesses, and deter foreign investment.

     The data paints a dire picture for Pakistan's digital landscape, emphasizing the urgent need for policy reform to prevent further economic damage.
     
     

     Key Takeaways

     • Global Leader in Losses: Pakistan tops the list with $1.62 billion in losses due to internet shutdowns in 2024.
     • Most Affected Sectors: Social media platforms like X, TikTok, and Facebook were heavily disrupted.
     • Economic Self-Sabotage: Shutdowns harm GDP and stifle economic growth, particularly in the digital economy.