
In least developed countries, 14 per cent of the rural population have no mobile network coverage at all, while another 12 per cent have only 2G coverage.Although 2021 estimates show that 95 per cent of the world’s population are covered by a mobile-broadband network, the gap remains significant for least developed countries and landlocked developing countries, where 17 per cent of the population are without coverage.Between 20, 4G network coverage doubled, reaching 88 per cent of the world’s population.In 2019, the share of medium- and high-tech manufacturing in total manufacturing in Europe and Northern America was 47.7 per cent compared with 21.4 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa and 10.5 per cent in least developed countries.15.7 per cent of small-scale industries in Africa and 44.2 per cent in Latin America and the Caribbean received the forms of credit.Only about one in three small manufacturers are benefiting from a loan or line of credit.Driven by a resurgence of economic activity along with a roaring e-commerce industry during the pandemic, air cargo traffic exceeded pre-pandemic levels by the beginning of 2021 and is maintaining robust growth.In 2021, domestic air traffic reached 68 per cent of 2019 levels, while international traffic remained weak – at 28 per cent – mostly due to sporadic outbreaks of COVID-19 variants and travel restrictions.The number of airline passengers travelling internationally totalled 2.3 billion in 2021, sharply falling from 4.5 billion in 2019 and resulting in financial losses of $324 billion.Globally, the share of manufacturing jobs in total employment declined from 13.7 per cent in 2019 to 13.1 per cent in 2020.

The global share of manufacturing value added in total GDP increased from 16.2 per cent in 2015 to 16.9 per cent in 2021.Global manufacturing production grew by 7.2 per cent in 2021, surpassing its pre-pandemic level.
