Final answer:
Estimates of smartphone ownership vary by region and demographic, but significant proportions of various populations own these devices. Taking into account various studies and current trends, it is plausible that over half of the global population owns a smartphone.
Step-by-step explanation:
Approximately what percentage of the world population owns a smartphone? This is a question that relates to the field of social studies, particularly looking at technology adoption rates across global populations. Research, including that from the Pew Research Center and other sources, has indicated varying rates of smartphone ownership. According to the data from the Pew Research Center, smartphone ownership in the United States was widespread, with a majority having access to such devices.
Furthermore, smartphone dependence has shifted over time, with notable changes in how people relate to their mobile phones. Different demographics may exhibit diverse reliance levels on smartphones for online access, with 25 percent of Hispanic Americans and 17 percent of Black Americans using smartphones as their primary means of going online.
The percentage of people who own a smartphone can vary widely, but studies and surveys can provide a range for estimation. For instance, a confidence interval calculation for a sample of adult residents might indicate that between 81 percent and 87.4 percent own cell phones. When considering these studies and adjusting for population growth and technology adoption trends, it is reasonable to estimate that well over half of the world's population now owns a smartphone.