Prediction of ICT Usage in Ecuador Through Machine Learning: impact of Education Level, Age, and Income on Digital Inclusion
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/dm20251006Keywords:
ICT, ECUADOR, MACHINE LEARNING, DIGITAL DIVIDE, PROJECTIONSAbstract
The progress of digital technologies in Ecuador during 2023–2024 was analyzed using data from the ENEMDU and machine learning models, processing 56 941 records that were carefully cleaned, normalized, and organized. Most notably, there was an increase in ICT usage across all age groups: usage among young people aged 18–29 rose by 1,7 %, among adults aged 30–49 by 1 %, and among those over 50 by 1,2 %. Education level emerged as the most decisive factor, showing a strong correlation of 0,69, although improvements were observed across all income levels. However, the gap between urban and rural areas remains significant, highlighting the need for more inclusive policies. The results suggest that this growth is expected to continue through 2025 and begin to stabilize between 2026 and 2027.
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