Mobile phone subscriptions in South Africa
South Africa: Mobile phone subscriptions was 114.79 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Mobile phone subscriptions in South Africa, 1980–2024
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2024, mobile phone subscriptions in South Africa stood at 114.79 million. That is the highest value across all 45 years on record.
The figure is up 5.9% on the previous year and up 44.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile phone subscriptions in South Africa peaked at 114.79 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1980.
That places South Africa 16th out of 212 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
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 | 398 | 0 | 3,980 | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.23 million | 5,680 | 5.19 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 27.79 million | 8.34 million | 46.44 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 78.72 million | 50.37 million | 96.97 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 103.95 million | 95.96 million | 114.79 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More science & technology data for South Africa
- Scientific and technical journal articles 14,949 (2023)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 9,156 (2021)
- Patent applications, residents 1,804 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 0.6% (2022)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 5.35 per 100 people (2024)
- Researchers in R&D 444.16 per million people (2022)
- Technicians in R&D 129.51 per million people (2017)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile phone subscriptions in South Africa?
- Mobile phone subscriptions in South Africa was 114.79 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 South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 114.79 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1980.
- How does South Africa rank for mobile phone subscriptions?
- South Africa ranks 16th out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is mobile phone subscriptions rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 44.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa 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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 45 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).