Mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers in South Africa
South Africa: Mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers was 68.13 million in 2011. ◆ Volatile
Mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers in South Africa, 1960–2011
Source: International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database.
Analysis
The most recent figure for mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers in South Africa is 68.13 million, measured in 2011. That is the highest value across all 40 years on record.
That represents a change of up 24.8% on the previous year and up 333.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers in South Africa peaked at 68.13 million in 2011 and was at its lowest, 650,013, in 1960.
South Africa ranks 3rd of 53 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 650,013 | — |
| 1965 | 755,000 | +16.2% |
| 1970 | 916,000 | +21.3% |
| 1975 | 1.16 million | +26.2% |
| 1976 | 1.23 million | +6.3% |
| 1977 | 1.31 million | +6.6% |
| 1978 | 1.40 million | +6.7% |
| 1979 | 1.51 million | +7.9% |
| 1980 | 1.63 million | +8.2% |
| 1981 | 1.79 million | +9.6% |
| 1982 | 1.94 million | +8.3% |
| 1983 | 2.07 million | +7.0% |
| 1984 | 2.15 million | +3.9% |
| 1985 | 2.30 million | +6.7% |
| 1986 | 2.53 million | +10.2% |
| 1987 | 2.67 million | +5.4% |
| 1988 | 2.87 million | +7.4% |
| 1989 | 3.08 million | +7.6% |
| 1990 | 3.32 million | +7.7% |
| 1991 | 3.44 million | +3.6% |
| 1992 | 3.47 million | +0.8% |
| 1993 | 3.63 million | +4.7% |
| 1994 | 4.12 million | +13.3% |
| 1995 | 4.54 million | +10.2% |
| 1996 | 5.21 million | +14.9% |
| 1997 | 6.48 million | +24.4% |
| 1998 | 8.41 million | +29.8% |
| 1999 | 10.68 million | +27.0% |
| 2000 | 13.30 million | +24.5% |
| 2001 | 15.71 million | +18.1% |
| 2002 | 18.55 million | +18.0% |
| 2003 | 21.68 million | +16.9% |
| 2004 | 25.69 million | +18.5% |
| 2005 | 38.69 million | +50.6% |
| 2006 | 44.30 million | +14.5% |
| 2007 | 46.83 million | +5.7% |
| 2008 | 49.42 million | +5.5% |
| 2009 | 50.76 million | +2.7% |
| 2010 | 54.60 million | +7.6% |
| 2011 | 68.13 million | +24.8% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 68.13 million is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 2.44 million, 28.0× the median. (8 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 68.13 million is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 4.13 million, 16.5× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | +50.6% | 25.69 million | 38.69 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 702,506 | 650,013 | 755,000 | 2 |
| 1970s | 1.25 million | 916,000 | 1.51 million | 6 |
| 1980s | 2.30 million | 1.63 million | 3.08 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 5.33 million | 3.32 million | 10.68 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 32.49 million | 13.30 million | 50.76 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 61.36 million | 54.60 million | 68.13 million | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More infrastructure data for South Africa
- Mobile cellular subscriptions 114.79 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions 179.34 per 100 people (2024)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions 1.01 million (2024)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions 1.58 per 100 people (2024)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions, per capita 0.0158 units per person (2024)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions, annual growth rate -25.13 % change on previous year (2024)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions, gaps filled 1.01 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions, per capita 1.79 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0.0003 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers in South Africa?
- Mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers in South Africa was 68.13 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 South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 68.13 million in 2011.
- What is the lowest mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 650,013 in 1960.
- How does South Africa rank for mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers?
- South Africa ranks 3rd out of 53 countries with data for 2011.
- Is mobile and fixed-line telephone subscribers rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 333.6%. 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, 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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 40 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database.