Mobile Subscriptions Statistics in Malawi (2026)
In 2024, mobile cellular subscriptions in Malawi stood at 69.3 per 100 people, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data. Up from 61.1 per 100 people in 2023 to 69.3 per 100 people in 2024. Malawi ranks #36 of 48 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa on this measure, and #183 of 210 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 69.3 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile Subscriptions in Malawi as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank World Development Indicators data.
- Change since 2023
- +13.4% (2024)
- Up from 61.1 per 100 people in 2023 to 69.3 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 69.3 per 100 people in 2024.
- Record high (2024)
- 69.3 per 100 people (2024)
- The 2024 value is the highest in the available World Bank World Development Indicators series for Malawi.
- Rank in Sub-Saharan Africa
- #36 of 48 (2024)
- Malawi ranks 36 of 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #183 of 210 (2024)
- Malawi ranks 183 of 210 countries with data globally.
- Sub-Saharan Africa average
- 96.2 per 100 people (2024)
- Malawi (69.3 per 100 people) is below the average of 96.2 per 100 people across the 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data.
- Projected 2026 value
- 79.3 per 100 people (2026)
- Projection based on 7-year trend (CAGR 7%); not an official figure.
- Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024)
- 15 million (2024)
- Related indicator from World Bank World Development Indicators.
- Internet use in Malawi (2024)
- 19% (2024)
- 19% of the population in Malawi used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 21.7 million (2024)
- Malawi had a population of 21.7 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 1990–2024
| Year | per 100 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 69.3 | +13.4% |
| 2023 | 61.1 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | 59.6 | +0.2% |
| 2021 | 59.6 | +16.3% |
| 2020 | 51.2 | +9.5% |
| 2019 | 46.8 | +22.5% |
| 2018 | 38.2 | −11.3% |
| 2017 | 43.1 | +5.4% |
| 2016 | 40.9 | +6.4% |
| 2015 | 38.4 | +13.4% |
| 2014 | 33.9 | +3.5% |
| 2013 | 32.7 | +10.7% |
| 2012 | 29.6 | +14.3% |
| 2011 | 25.9 | +23.1% |
| 2010 | 21 | +21.8% |
| 2009 | 17.3 | +60.1% |
| 2008 | 10.8 | +39.4% |
| 2007 | 7.7 | +64.7% |
| 2006 | 4.7 | +43.2% |
| 2005 | 3.3 | +84.6% |
| 2004 | 1.8 | +60.2% |
| 2003 | 1.1 | +53.1% |
| 2002 | 0.7 | +50.7% |
| 2001 | 0.5 | +11.0% |
| 2000 | 0.4 | +111.2% |
| 1999 | 0.2 | +109.6% |
| 1998 | 0.1 | +46.9% |
| 1997 | 0.1 | +85.6% |
| 1996 | 0 | +850.0% |
| 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 Malawi?
Mobile cellular subscriptions in Malawi stood at 69.3 per 100 people in 2024, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data.
Where does the mobile subscriptions data for Malawi come from?
The data comes from the World Bank World Development Indicators (indicator IT.CEL.SETS.P2). The latest observation for Malawi is from 2024; the snapshot was retrieved on 2026-06-10.
How has mobile subscriptions in Malawi changed over time?
World Bank World Development Indicators data show a rise from 0 per 100 people in 1990 to 69.3 per 100 people in 2024.
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 .