As mobile devices increasingly integrate into our daily routines, the second-year installment of Telenor Asia’s ‘Digital Lives Decoded’ study identifies key factors driving mobile usage: fostering healthy social connections, unlocking new opportunities, ensuring a safer online experience, acquiring new skills, and minimizing our ecological footprint.
The inaugural Digital Lives Decoded study in 2022 coincided with Pakistan’s emergence from a global pandemic, ushering in a rapid pace of digital adoption. Expanding upon its predecessor, the Digital Lives Decoded 2023 study offers an exhaustive examination of mobile usage and its implications across various aspects of everyday life.
Drawing insights from over 8,000 mobile users across Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, the report offers invaluable insights into the dynamics of digital lifestyles in the region.
This year’s findings build upon existing trends, indicating a continued surge in mobile phone usage, propelling individuals to seek avenues for upskilling, advancing their careers, and accessing new revenue streams facilitated by mobile connectivity. A noteworthy revelation this year was the widespread use of mobile devices as a tool for managing escalating living costs amidst a challenging economy and high inflation rates.
Individuals are turning to their mobile devices to compare prices (70%) or seek the best deals (65%), leveraging various financial management tools, calculators, and applications to navigate financial challenges. Notably, 95% of respondents in Pakistan have witnessed improvements in their careers and skills development over the past five years due to mobile phone usage.
In Pakistan, trends forecast significant increases in mobile device utilization over the next 1-2 years (37% compared to 28% regionally), with respondents showing a higher likelihood than their regional counterparts to access educational content (68% compared to 27% regionally), healthcare services (27% compared to 14% regionally), and food and grocery delivery applications (30% compared to 16% regionally) on a daily basis.
Khurram Ashfaque, CEO of Telenor Pakistan, remarks, “The latest Telenor Asia Digital Lives Decoded study reveals a transformative shift. Mobile technology is reshaping work dynamics, fostering skill acquisition, and laying the groundwork for substantial economic growth. Through robust connectivity, embracing emerging technologies, and enhancing digital literacy, we possess the capability to propel Pakistan towards a safer, more inclusive digital future.”
Despite Pakistanis’ perception that mobile devices significantly enhance their performance and work quality, concerns persist regarding overuse, privacy, security, and digital skills. A striking 27% of mobile users in Pakistan feel they overuse their devices, the highest among the surveyed markets.
Furthermore, while Pakistanis exhibit a greater inclination to access news stories on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), they are also the most likely to encounter fake news on a daily basis (39% compared to 21% regionally). Despite expressing confidence in their digital skills, 51% express apprehensions about keeping pace with future technological advancements, underscoring the necessity for ongoing digital upskilling. Privacy and security concerns, though less inhibitory for work-related mobile usage, remain significant, with 32% expressing apprehension. These findings underscore the intricate relationship Pakistanis have with their mobile devices, as they balance the benefits of heightened productivity with the challenges of maintaining digital well-being and security.
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