Mobile phone subscriptions in Zambia
Zambia: Mobile phone subscriptions was 23.17 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Mobile phone subscriptions in Zambia, 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 Zambia is 23.17 million, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 45 years on record.
That represents a change of up 9.5% on the previous year and up 129.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile phone subscriptions in Zambia peaked at 23.17 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1980.
Zambia ranks 59th 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 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1990s | 4,527 | 0 | 28,190 | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.43 million | 98,853 | 4.41 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 11.44 million | 5.45 million | 17.22 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 20.70 million | 19.10 million | 23.17 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
- 56 Afghanistan 25.63 million compare
- 57 Madagascar 23.54 million compare
- 58 Netherlands 23.43 million compare
- 60 Senegal 22.92 million compare
- 61 Romania 22.78 million compare
- 62 United Arab Emirates 22.41 million compare
More science & technology data for Zambia
- Scientific and technical journal articles 367.3 (2023)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 13 (2021)
- Patent applications, residents 13 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 0.3% (2008)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 0.7898 per 100 people (2024)
- Researchers in R&D 41.9 per million people (2008)
- Technicians in R&D 64.52 per million people (2008)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile phone subscriptions in Zambia?
- Mobile phone subscriptions in Zambia was 23.17 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 Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 23.17 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1980.
- How does Zambia rank for mobile phone subscriptions?
- Zambia ranks 59th out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is mobile phone subscriptions rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 129.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia 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).