Mobile phone subscriptions in North Korea
North Korea: Mobile phone subscriptions was 6.35 million in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Mobile phone subscriptions in North Korea, 1980–2022
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for mobile phone subscriptions in North Korea is 6.35 million, measured in 2022. That is the highest value across all 42 years on record.
The figure is up 5.9% on the previous year and up 273.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile phone subscriptions in North Korea peaked at 6.35 million in 2022 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1980.
That places North Korea 116th out of 212 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2000s | 6,926 | 0 | 69,261 | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.58 million | 431,919 | 4.25 million | 9 |
| 2020s | 6.12 million | 6.00 million | 6.35 million | 3 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
- 113 Costa Rica 6.98 million compare
- 114 New Zealand 6.78 million compare
- 115 Oman 6.35 million compare
- 117 Turkmenistan 6.25 million compare
- 118 Georgia 6.14 million compare
- 119 Norway 6.10 million compare
More science & technology data for North Korea
- Scientific and technical journal articles 269.28 (2023)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 6 (2020)
- Patent applications, residents 6,937 (2020)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile phone subscriptions in North Korea?
- Mobile phone subscriptions in North Korea was 6.35 million in 2022, according to International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 6.35 million in 2022.
- What is the lowest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1980.
- How does North Korea rank for mobile phone subscriptions?
- North Korea ranks 116th out of 212 countries with data for 2022.
- Is mobile phone subscriptions rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 273.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this North Korea data come from?
- The figures come from International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Mobile phone subscriptions. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 42 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).