No Wi-Fi, no web, no way: This is the country that’s still in the digital dark

Being out in the wilderness, feeling the wind on your face and hearing bears rustling in the trees, is something everyone should experience as often as possible. It offers a chance to disconnect from the relentless pressure and toxic nature of modern life.

Constant emails, text messages, phone calls, and the ever-present stress of social media have crept into our lives, and they’re here to stay.

However, there is one country in the world that still lives in an “analog” reality. Not by choice, but by force.

North Korea, the world’s most infamous hermit nation, does not have the Internet. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database, not a single individual there has used the Internet—from any device or location—in the past three months. Their definition of “Internet use” includes access via computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, game console, or digital TV. While the country maintains a closed intranet, it is completely isolated from the outside world.

Of course, this is not the will of the people. North Korea’s current leader, Kim Jong Un, has kept the country under strict control for years, continuing the dynastic rule of his family, who have governed like deities for decades. And that’s no exaggeration: state media once claimed that Kim Jong Il, son of the country’s founder, scored a perfect 300 the first time he went bowling and made 11 holes-in-one the first time he played golf.

Only military personnel and government officials are permitted to own motor vehicles, and, as Britannica notes, “the state controls all means of production.” Everything from literature to haircuts is regulated, and access to information about the country remains severely restricted.

National Geographic explains that “a view from space revealed that North Koreans have experienced a continuous lack of steady electric light across the country at night over the past few years.” Other glimpses have shown the impact of a crippling famine that lasted for decades.

Even tourism is heavily controlled. Only select visitors are allowed to enter, and the country frequently cuts off access entirely. USA Today reports that while cellular service is permitted for foreign visitors, it is limited to a 3G connection.

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At the opposite end of the spectrum are the Nordic countries, which routinely top rankings like these. Norway has a 99% Internet penetration, just ahead of Denmark at 98%. Interestingly, Iceland reports 100% usage, as do the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

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