Mobile phone subscriptions in New Zealand
New Zealand: Mobile phone subscriptions was 6.78 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Mobile phone subscriptions in New Zealand, 1980–2024
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 New Zealand is 6.78 million, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 45 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.4% on the previous year and up 33.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile phone subscriptions in New Zealand peaked at 6.78 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1980.
New Zealand ranks 114th of 212 countries on this measure, 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 | 4,130 | 0 | 28,900 | 10 |
| 1990s | 421,860 | 54,100 | 1.40 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.28 million | 1.54 million | 4.70 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 5.47 million | 4.71 million | 6.40 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.28 million | 5.85 million | 6.78 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
- 111 Finland 7.07 million compare
- 112 Panama 6.98 million compare
- 113 Costa Rica 6.98 million compare
- 115 Oman 6.35 million compare
- 116 North Korea 6.35 million compare
- 117 Turkmenistan 6.25 million compare
More science & technology data for New Zealand
- Scientific and technical journal articles 8,096 (2023)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 6,522 (2021)
- Patent applications, residents 330 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 1.5% (2023)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 38.05 per 100 people (2024)
- Researchers in R&D 5,435 per million people (2023)
- Technicians in R&D 1,276 per million people (2017)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile phone subscriptions in New Zealand?
- Mobile phone subscriptions in New Zealand was 6.78 million in 2024, 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 New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 6.78 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1980.
- How does New Zealand rank for mobile phone subscriptions?
- New Zealand ranks 114th out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is mobile phone subscriptions rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is up 33.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this New Zealand 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 — 45 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).