Personal computers (per 100 people) in North America
North America: Personal computers (per 100 people) was 82.14 per 100 people in 2006. ◆ Volatile
Personal computers in North America, 1981–2006
Source: International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database. Measured in per 100 people.
Analysis
North America recorded 82.14 per 100 people for personal computers in 2006. That is the highest value across all 24 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.9% on the previous year and up 135.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, personal computers in North America peaked at 82.14 per 100 people in 2006 and was at its lowest, 0.9052 per 100 people, in 1981.
North America ranks 1st of 25 groups on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Personal computers (per 100 people) in North America, year by year
| Year | per 100 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 0.9052 per 100 people | — |
| 1982 | 2.25 per 100 people | +148.9% |
| 1983 | 4.81 per 100 people | +113.6% |
| 1984 | 7.5 per 100 people | +55.9% |
| 1985 | 9.83 per 100 people | +31.0% |
| 1986 | 12.03 per 100 people | +22.4% |
| 1987 | 14.53 per 100 people | +20.7% |
| 1988 | 17.13 per 100 people | +17.9% |
| 1989 | 18.67 per 100 people | +9.0% |
| 1990 | 20.42 per 100 people | +9.4% |
| 1991 | 22.13 per 100 people | +8.4% |
| 1992 | 24.05 per 100 people | +8.7% |
| 1993 | 26.07 per 100 people | +8.4% |
| 1994 | 28.58 per 100 people | +9.6% |
| 1995 | 31.5 per 100 people | +10.2% |
| 1996 | 34.89 per 100 people | +10.8% |
| 1997 | 38.88 per 100 people | +11.4% |
| 1998 | 43.71 per 100 people | +12.4% |
| 1999 | 49.25 per 100 people | +12.7% |
| 2000 | 55.68 per 100 people | +13.1% |
| 2001 | 60.92 per 100 people | +9.4% |
| 2004 | 75.94 per 100 people | +24.7% |
| 2005 | 79.07 per 100 people | +4.1% |
| 2006 | 82.14 per 100 people | +3.9% |
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Personal computers (per 100 people) in North America 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | +148.9% | 0.9052 per 100 people | 2.25 per 100 people |
| 1983 | +113.6% | 2.25 per 100 people | 4.81 per 100 people |
| 1984 | +55.9% | 4.81 per 100 people | 7.5 per 100 people |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 9.74 per 100 people | 0.9052 per 100 people | 18.67 per 100 people | 9 |
| 1990s | 31.95 per 100 people | 20.42 per 100 people | 49.25 per 100 people | 10 |
| 2000s | 70.75 per 100 people | 55.68 per 100 people | 82.14 per 100 people | 5 |
Countries ranked near North America
- 1 Switzerland 96.55 per 100 people compare
- 2 Canada 94.66 per 100 people compare
- 3 Netherlands 90.63 per 100 people compare
- 4 Sweden 87.95 per 100 people compare
More infrastructure data for North America
- Mobile cellular subscriptions 434.00 million (2025)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions 112 per 100 people (2025)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions 89.00 million (2025)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions 23 per 100 people (2025)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions, per capita 0.2321 units per person (2025)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions, annual growth rate -4.3 % change on previous year (2025)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions, gaps filled 89.00 million (2025)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions, per capita 1.13 units per person (2025)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is personal computers in North America?
- Personal computers in North America was 82.14 per 100 people in 2006, according to International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database.
- What is the highest personal computers recorded in North America?
- The highest recorded value was 82.14 per 100 people in 2006.
- What is the lowest personal computers recorded in North America?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.9052 per 100 people in 1981.
- How does North America rank for personal computers?
- North America ranks 1st out of 25 groups with data for 2006.
- Is personal computers rising or falling in North America?
- Over the last ten years it is up 135.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this North America data come from?
- The figures come from International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database, published as part of Personal computers (per 100 people). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Personal computers are self-contained computers designed to be used by a single individual.