Mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers in Africa
Africa: Mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers was 674.22 million in 2011. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2011)
674.22 million
Change on year
up 17.2%
Rank
1st
of 6 groups
All-time high
674.22 million
in 2011
All-time low
1.18 million
in 1960
Years of data
39
1960–2011
Mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers in Africa, 1960–2011
Source: International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database.
Analysis
In 2011, mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers in Africa stood at 674.22 million. That is the highest value across all 39 years on record.
That represents a change of up 17.2% on the previous year and up 1,358.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers in Africa peaked at 674.22 million in 2011 and was at its lowest, 1.18 million, in 1960.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers in Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 1.18 million | — |
| 1970 | 1.87 million | +58.5% |
| 1975 | 2.36 million | +26.1% |
| 1976 | 2.52 million | +6.9% |
| 1977 | 2.69 million | +6.7% |
| 1978 | 2.86 million | +6.4% |
| 1979 | 3.10 million | +8.6% |
| 1980 | 2.97 million | -4.4% |
| 1981 | 3.96 million | +33.5% |
| 1982 | 4.30 million | +8.5% |
| 1983 | 4.70 million | +9.3% |
| 1984 | 4.97 million | +5.7% |
| 1985 | 5.56 million | +12.1% |
| 1986 | 6.16 million | +10.7% |
| 1987 | 6.52 million | +5.9% |
| 1988 | 7.01 million | +7.5% |
| 1989 | 7.67 million | +9.4% |
| 1990 | 8.40 million | +9.6% |
| 1991 | 9.07 million | +7.9% |
| 1992 | 9.71 million | +7.1% |
| 1993 | 10.55 million | +8.7% |
| 1994 | 11.74 million | +11.3% |
| 1995 | 12.97 million | +10.5% |
| 1996 | 14.58 million | +12.4% |
| 1997 | 17.06 million | +17.0% |
| 1998 | 20.63 million | +20.9% |
| 1999 | 25.83 million | +25.2% |
| 2000 | 34.83 million | +34.9% |
| 2001 | 46.24 million | +32.7% |
| 2002 | 59.74 million | +29.2% |
| 2003 | 76.95 million | +28.8% |
| 2004 | 106.73 million | +38.7% |
| 2005 | 165.21 million | +54.8% |
| 2006 | 230.28 million | +39.4% |
| 2007 | 305.59 million | +32.7% |
| 2008 | 399.90 million | +30.9% |
| 2009 | 480.94 million | +20.3% |
| 2010 | 575.14 million | +19.6% |
| 2011 | 674.22 million | +17.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 1.18 million | 1.18 million | 1.18 million | 1 |
| 1970s | 2.57 million | 1.87 million | 3.10 million | 6 |
| 1980s | 5.38 million | 2.97 million | 7.67 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 14.05 million | 8.40 million | 25.83 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 190.64 million | 34.83 million | 480.94 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 624.68 million | 575.14 million | 674.22 million | 2 |
Countries ranked near Africa
More infrastructure data for Africa
- Proportion of children moderately or severely stunted 30.3% (2024)
- Proportion of children moderately or severely overweight 4.5% (2024)
- Proportion of the target population who received 3 doses of 76.0% (2024)
- Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global 2.9% (2024)
- Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global 2.6% (2024)
- Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global 2.7% (2024)
- Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global 1.8% (2024)
- Total official flows for infrastructure, by recipient countries 17,916 million constant US$ (2024)
- Total reserves in months of imports 8.09 ratio (2024)
- Proportion of local breeds classified as being at risk of extinction 28.5% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers in Africa?
- Mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers in Africa was 674.22 million in 2011, according to International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database.
- What is the highest mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers recorded in Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 674.22 million in 2011.
- What is the lowest mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers recorded in Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.18 million in 1960.
- How does Africa rank for mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers?
- Africa ranks 1st out of 6 groups with data for 2011.
- Is mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers rising or falling in Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1,358.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database, published as part of Mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database.