Mobile cellular subscriptions, per square kilometre in South Africa

South Africa: Mobile cellular subscriptions, per square kilometre was 89.37 units per square kilometre in 2023. β—† Volatile

Latest (2023)
89.37 units per square kilometre
Change on year
up 8.1%
World rank
115th
of 212 countries
All-time high
89.37 units per square kilometre
in 2023
All-time low
0 units per square kilometre
in 1965
Years of data
51
1965–2023

Mobile cellular subscriptions, per square kilometre in South Africa, 1965–2023

020406080196519942023

Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in units per square kilometre.

Analysis

The most recent figure for mobile cellular subscriptions, per square kilometre in South Africa is 89.37 units per square kilometre, measured in 2023. That is the highest value across all 51 years on record.

That represents a change of up 8.1% on the previous year and up 41.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, mobile cellular subscriptions, per square kilometre in South Africa peaked at 89.37 units per square kilometre in 2023 and was at its lowest, 0 units per square kilometre, in 1965.

That places South Africa 115th out of 212 countries with data for 2023, putting it 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

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1960s 0 units per square kilometre 0 units per square kilometre 0 units per square kilometre 1
1970s 0 units per square kilometre 0 units per square kilometre 0 units per square kilometre 6
1980s 0.0003 units per square kilometre 0 units per square kilometre 0.0033 units per square kilometre 10
1990s 1.01 units per square kilometre 0.0047 units per square kilometre 4.28 units per square kilometre 10
2000s 22.91 units per square kilometre 6.87 units per square kilometre 38.28 units per square kilometre 10
2010s 64.89 units per square kilometre 41.52 units per square kilometre 79.94 units per square kilometre 10
2020s 83.46 units per square kilometre 79.1 units per square kilometre 89.37 units per square kilometre 4

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 112 Iran, Islamic Republic of 92.86 units per square kilometre compare
  2. 113 Eswatini, Kingdom of 91.86 units per square kilometre compare
  3. 114 Tonga 90.05 units per square kilometre compare
  4. 116 Marshall Islands 88.41 units per square kilometre compare
  5. 117 Greece 88.04 units per square kilometre compare
  6. 118 Jordan 87.02 units per square kilometre compare

See the full ranking of 259 places β†’

More infrastructure data for South Africa

All data for South Africa β†’

Frequently asked questions

What is mobile cellular subscriptions, per square kilometre in South Africa?
Mobile cellular subscriptions, per square kilometre in South Africa was 89.37 units per square kilometre in 2023, according to Statizoid (derived).
What is the highest mobile cellular subscriptions, per square kilometre recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 89.37 units per square kilometre in 2023.
What is the lowest mobile cellular subscriptions, per square kilometre recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 0 units per square kilometre in 1965.
How does South Africa rank for mobile cellular subscriptions, per square kilometre?
South Africa ranks 115th out of 212 countries with data for 2023.
Is mobile cellular subscriptions, per square kilometre rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 41.0%. 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 square kilometre. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Mobile cellular subscriptions, per square kilometre in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Statizoid (derived). Retrieved 19 August 2026, from https://infrastructure.statizoid.com/stat/mobile-cellular-subscriptions-per-square-kilometre/south-africa/

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<a href="https://infrastructure.statizoid.com/stat/mobile-cellular-subscriptions-per-square-kilometre/south-africa/">Mobile cellular subscriptions, per square kilometre in South Africa</a> β€” Statizoid

How this figure is calculated

Mobile cellular subscriptions divided by Land area (sq. km), matched on country and year. Neither publisher issues this ratio as a series; it is computed here from both.

Mobile cellular subscriptions Γ· Land area (sq. km)

Computed from

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

Indicator
Mobile cellular subscriptions, per square kilometre
Unit
units per square kilometre
Source
Statizoid (derived)
Licence
Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page
Coverage
259 places, 11,974 data points, 1965–2023
Last refreshed

Mobile cellular subscriptions divided by Land area (sq. km), matched on country and year. Neither publisher issues this ratio as a series; it is computed here from both.