Tuesday, April 19 2005 10:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Despite several Indian cities emerging as IT centres of the World, South Asian region has the lowest Internet use and access to personal computers among developing regions, the World Bank said yesterday (Apr 18, 2005).

Despite high-tech hotspots in south Asia the Bank said it is a case of "low access to personal computers and Internet.

"Modern information and communications technologies are increasingly recognized for their contribution to the development process and links to growth."

"Despite the new technology centres that have sprung up in places such as Bangalore, the South Asia region, home to more than 20 of the world's population, has the lowest Internet use and access to personal computers among developing regions," the Bank said.

With 10 Internet users per 1,000 people, South Asia ranks well below Europe and Central Asia (160 users per 1,000), Latin America (106 per 1,000), and Sub-Saharan Africa (20 users per 1,000).

Access to personal computers is also low in South Asia compared to other developing regions. With 7 personal computers per 1,000 people, South Asia is behind East Asia and the Pacific (26 PCs per 1,000), the Middle East and North Africa (38 PCs per 1,000) and Sub-Saharan Africa (12 PCs per 1,000).