Economic Inequality and Access to Digital Learning in Higher Education: Evidence from Developing Countries

Abstract

Background: Economic inequality of students creates the digital divide condition at higher education in digital learning environment. In developing countries context, socioeconomic inequality and the digital divide adversely affect to digital learning in higher education.

Purpose of Study: This study systematically reviews the evidence on how socioeconomic inequality influences students' access to digital learning in higher education across developing countries. The purpose of this study was explore the relationship between socioeconomic inequality and access to digital learning in higher education within the context of developing countries.

Methods: This study applied systematic review design to search and synthesize empirical evidence on socioeconomic inequality and access to digital learning in higher education in developing countries.

Findings: This study reveals that the socioeconomic inequality is the major challenge to equitable digital learning in higher education in developing countries. Students with low financial status face less access to devices, reliable internet, regular electricity, and supportive digital learning environment. Four major themes: Socioeconomic inequality, economic challenges, infrastructure and digital literacy challenges, and social, institutional, and policy barriers. The digital divide reflects broader structural inequalities in economic, social, and cultural resources.

Conclusion: The study highlights the need for integrated policies that simultaneously reduce income inequality, provide digital infrastructure, improve digital literacy, and institutional support to promote equitable access to digital learning in higher education.

Novelty: This study provides the recent evidence from developing countries and gives a theoretically grounded understanding of digital inequality through economic inequality by combining resource and appropriation theory with Bourdieu's theory of education, society and cultural reproduction.