Mobile Subscriptions Statistics in India (2026)
In 2024, mobile cellular subscriptions in India stood at 79.4 per 100 people, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data. Down from 80.6 per 100 people in 2023 to 79.4 per 100 people in 2024. India ranks #6 of 6 economies in South Asia on this measure, and #167 of 210 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 79.4 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile Subscriptions in India as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank World Development Indicators data.
- Change since 2023
- −1.5% (2024)
- Down from 80.6 per 100 people in 2023 to 79.4 per 100 people in 2024.
- Earliest value in this dataset (1990)
- 0 per 100 people (1990)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 0 per 100 people in 1990 to 79.4 per 100 people in 2024.
- Peak value (2017)
- 86 per 100 people (2017)
- Highest value in the available series; the 2024 value is 79.4 per 100 people.
- Rank in South Asia
- #6 of 6 (2024)
- India ranks 6 of 6 countries in South Asia with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #167 of 210 (2024)
- India ranks 167 of 210 countries with data globally.
- South Asia average
- 111.3 per 100 people (2024)
- India (79.4 per 100 people) is below the average of 111.3 per 100 people across the 6 countries in South Asia with data.
- Projected 2026 value
- 77.6 per 100 people (2026)
- Projection based on 7-year trend (CAGR -1.1%); not an official figure.
- Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024)
- 1.2 billion (2024)
- Related indicator from World Bank World Development Indicators.
- Internet use in India (2025)
- 70% (2025)
- 70% of the population in India used the internet in 2025 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 1.5 billion (2024)
- India had a population of 1.5 billion in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 1990–2024
| Year | per 100 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 79.4 | −1.5% |
| 2023 | 80.6 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | 80.2 | −1.7% |
| 2021 | 81.6 | −0.8% |
| 2020 | 82.3 | −0.8% |
| 2019 | 82.9 | −3.1% |
| 2018 | 85.6 | −0.5% |
| 2017 | 86 | +2.4% |
| 2016 | 83.9 | +11.3% |
| 2015 | 75.4 | +4.8% |
| 2014 | 71.9 | +5.2% |
| 2013 | 68.4 | +1.1% |
| 2012 | 67.6 | −4.6% |
| 2011 | 70.9 | +17.2% |
| 2010 | 60.5 | +41.2% |
| 2009 | 42.8 | +49.2% |
| 2008 | 28.7 | +46.4% |
| 2007 | 19.6 | +38.6% |
| 2006 | 14.2 | +81.4% |
| 2005 | 7.8 | +69.8% |
| 2004 | 4.6 | +52.4% |
| 2003 | 3 | +154.7% |
| 2002 | 1.2 | +95.2% |
| 2001 | 0.6 | +79.4% |
| 2000 | 0.3 | +86.7% |
| 1999 | 0.2 | +54.7% |
| 1998 | 0.1 | +33.0% |
| 1997 | 0.1 | +163.8% |
| 1996 | 0 | +319.4% |
| 1995 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 0 | — |
| 1993 | 0 | — |
| 1992 | 0 | — |
| 1991 | 0 | — |
| 1990 | 0 | — |
Frequently asked questions
What is the latest figure for mobile cellular subscriptions in India?
Mobile cellular subscriptions in India stood at 79.4 per 100 people in 2024, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data.
How does India compare with other countries in South Asia?
India ranks 6 of 6 countries in South Asia with data, with 79.4 per 100 people versus a regional average of 111.3 per 100 people (latest values per country).
Where does India rank globally on mobile subscriptions?
India ranks 167 of 210 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank World Development Indicators value for each country.
What could mobile subscriptions in India look like in 2026?
A trend-based projection puts it at 77.6 per 100 people in 2026. Projection based on 7-year trend (CAGR -1.1%); not an official figure.
When did mobile subscriptions in India peak?
The highest value in the available series was 86 per 100 people in 2017; the latest (2024) value is 79.4 per 100 people.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, indicator
IT.CEL.SETS.P2, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .