Mobile cellular subscriptions, per capita in South Africa
South Africa: Mobile cellular subscriptions, per capita was 1.79 units per person in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Mobile cellular subscriptions, per capita in South Africa, 1960–2024
Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in units per person.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 1.79 units per person for mobile cellular subscriptions, per capita in 2024. That is the highest value across all 53 years on record.
The figure is up 4.6% on the previous year and up 25.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile cellular subscriptions, per capita in South Africa peaked at 1.79 units per person in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0 units per person, in 1960.
South Africa ranks 10th of 213 countries on this measure, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 0 units per person | 0 units per person | 0 units per person | 2 |
| 1970s | 0 units per person | 0 units per person | 0 units per person | 6 |
| 1980s | 0 units per person | 0 units per person | 0.0001 units per person | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.0266 units per person | 0.0001 units per person | 0.111 units per person | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.5557 units per person | 0.1768 units per person | 0.8977 units per person | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.4 units per person | 0.9623 units per person | 1.63 units per person | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.67 units per person | 1.58 units per person | 1.79 units per person | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 7 Libya 1.93 units per person compare
- 8 Russian Federation 1.88 units per person compare
- 9 Côte d’Ivoire 1.84 units per person compare
- 11 Japan 1.78 units per person compare
- 12 El Salvador 1.77 units per person compare
- 13 Mauritius 1.76 units per person compare
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 unit of GDP 0.0003 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions, gaps filled 114.79 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile cellular subscriptions, per capita in South Africa?
- Mobile cellular subscriptions, per capita in South Africa was 1.79 units per person in 2024, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest mobile cellular subscriptions, per capita recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1.79 units per person in 2024.
- What is the lowest mobile cellular subscriptions, per capita recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 units per person in 1960.
- How does South Africa rank for mobile cellular subscriptions, per capita?
- South Africa ranks 10th out of 213 countries with data for 2024.
- Is mobile cellular subscriptions, per capita rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 25.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Mobile cellular subscriptions, per capita. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 53 observations, free to reuse under Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page.
How this figure is calculated
Mobile cellular subscriptions divided by Population, total, matched on country and year. Neither publisher issues this ratio as a series; it is computed here from both.
Mobile cellular subscriptions ÷ Population, total
Computed from
- Mobile cellular subscriptions World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
- Population, total World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN)
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
Mobile cellular subscriptions divided by Population, total, matched on country and year. Neither publisher issues this ratio as a series; it is computed here from both.