Islamabad: With mobile devices becoming increasingly important in our daily lives, Telenor Asia’s second-year ‘Digital Lives Decoded’ study identified the key drivers of mobile use: forging healthy social connections, opening up new opportunities, a safer online experience, learning and growing with new skills, and reducing our environmental impact.
In 2022, as Pakistan was recovering from a worldwide epidemic, the first Digital Lives Decoded research was conducted, and the rate of digital adoption quickened. Building on the groundwork established by its predecessor, Digital Lives Decoded 2023 provides an in-depth examination of mobile usage and how it affects important aspects of everyday living. The report offers vital insights into the dynamics of digital living in the area, obtained from over 8,000 mobile users in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The results from this year’s study expand on previous patterns, indicating that the use of mobile phones will only increase and encourage individuals to look for new opportunities to advance their careers, acquire new skills, and generate income that are only possible with mobile connectivity. This year’s most notable discovery was the widespread usage of mobile devices as a tool to control growing living expenses in the face of a difficult economy and high rates of inflation. Consumers are using their mobile devices to access the many budgeting and financial management tools, calculators, and applications that can help them handle their finances during hard times. Of these, 70% of consumers use them to compare costs, and 65% use them to locate the best bargain. In addition to this, 95% of respondents who are Pakistani reported that they have previously witnessed improvements in their careers and skill development.
Trends show that mobile device use in Pakistan is expected to rise significantly over the next one to two years (37% vs. 28% regionally). Respondents are more likely than their regional counterparts to use their device on a daily basis to access healthcare (27% vs. 14% regionally), educational content (68% vs. 27% regionally), and food and grocery delivery apps (30% vs. 16% regionally).
Although Pakistanis believe that mobile devices have greatly improved their productivity and caliber of work, worries regarding misuse, security, privacy, and digital literacy still exist. Pakistan has the greatest percentage of mobile users feeling they are overusing their devices (27%), out of all the markets surveyed. Moreover, although Pakistanis are more likely to use social networking sites such as X (previously Twitter) to obtain news items, they are also the most likely to report daily experiences with fake news (39% versus 21% in the region). Even though 51% of respondents are confident in their digital skills, they are worried about being able to keep up with upcoming technological advances, which emphasizes the need of ongoing digital upskilling. Even while they aren’t as big of a deterrent for using mobile devices for work, privacy and security concerns do matter, as 32% of respondents voice concern.
“As Pakistan emerges from the challenges of the global pandemic, the latest Telenor Asia Digital Lives Decoded study reveals a profound shift in the role of mobile technology in people’s lives,” stated Khurram Ashfaque, Chief Executive Officer, Telenor Pakistan. The research shows a favorable trajectory as we navigate this digital landscape: mobile usage is progressively influencing job dynamics and promoting skill acquisition, paving the way for large-scale economic growth. These observations highlight how important it is for stakeholders to capitalize on this momentum. By establishing a robust infrastructure for connection, adopting cutting-edge technology, and improving digital literacy, we can work together to steer Pakistan toward a digital future based on a more secure and inclusive digital environment.
- Building Healthy Social Connections Online
For many people, creating positive online social ties is still of utmost importance. In Pakistan, 95% of respondents to a survey stated that they felt their relationships had improved as a result of using mobile devices, with notable gains observed in friendships and family ties. In Pakistan, the percentage of people using the internet has increased from 8% to 21%. Mobile technology is essential for promoting connection, empowering individuals, and supporting individual development. Notably, when it comes to buying, using search engines, and messaging—among other online activities—Pakistani mobile users have an elevated sense of empowerment.
- Unlocking New Opportunities at Work
A common trend driven by mobile technologies is opening up new options at work; 83% of respondents reported higher productivity over the previous five years, and 87% noted improved job quality and performance. The great promise of mobile connectivity is backed by the fact that nearly half of respondents from across the area thought that having a mobile would help them advance in their jobs (45%) or succeed at work (42%). Pakistanis are particularly distinct from their regional counterparts in that 47% indicate noteworthy improvements in performance and quality over the last 1–5 years, and 44% report notable career advancement and skill development. This highlights how mobile devices have a transformative effect on the workplace. This is especially true in Pakistan, where daily mobile usage has opened up new opportunities that exceed regional averages.
- A Safer Online Experience
Concerns about security and privacy are growing along with the use of mobile devices, especially in light of new technologies like generative artificial intelligence. These concerns are clarified by the study, which found that 57% of participants emphasized the significance of privacy and security issues when using mobile devices. Remarkably, 9 out of 10 respondents expressed concern over security and privacy, with 44% of all respondents saying they were extremely concerned. Pakistanis are confident in their digital skills, but they are also cautious about potential security breaches and future technological advances. Nevertheless, according to projections until 2022, 32% of respondents said that privacy and security concerns have no bearing on their use of mobile devices for work.
- Tapping into Learning and Personal Growth
The results of the 2023 Digital Lives Decoded Study show that mobile usage is still a driver for revenue generating and upskilling. 56% of respondents in the area said they can learn new skills on their mobile devices, and 87% of them have used their phones to learn new skills in the last year, with Indonesia leading the way in this trend. The daily rate of access to educational information using mobile devices in Pakistan is notably higher than the regional average (68%). This trend also extends to the acquisition of new and emerging skills, such as social media management (58%), e-commerce sales (52%), and language and communication proficiency (65%). Surprisingly, 75% of Pakistanis hope to use their newly acquired talents to generate extra revenue, demonstrating the revolutionary potential.
- Reducing Our Impact on the Planet
The study’s conclusions show that mobile technology still has a big impact on fostering sustainability and wellbeing. 72% of respondents to the poll acknowledge that using a mobile device has environmentally beneficial effects, such as lowering paper usage and making it easier to access information and resources for education. With 93% of respondents recognizing the benefits of mobile devices for sustainability, this view is especially strong in Pakistan. Remarkably, more than twice as many Pakistanis—29 percent—use applications for mental or spiritual health on a daily basis as do people in the region—which stands at 18%. These figures highlight how important mobile technology is for encouraging eco-friendly behavior and improving people’s quality of life in general..
