Mobile Subscriptions Statistics in North Korea (2026)
North Korea recorded mobile cellular subscriptions of 24.1 per 100 people in 2022, World Bank World Development Indicators data show. Up from 22.9 per 100 people in 2021 to 24.1 per 100 people in 2022. North Korea ranks #33 of 34 economies in East Asia & Pacific on this measure, and #209 of 210 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2022)
- 24.1 per 100 people (2022)
- Mobile Subscriptions in North Korea as of 2022, the most recent observation in World Bank World Development Indicators data.
- Change since 2021
- +5.5% (2022)
- Up from 22.9 per 100 people in 2021 to 24.1 per 100 people in 2022.
- 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 24.1 per 100 people in 2022.
- Record high (2022)
- 24.1 per 100 people (2022)
- The 2022 value is the highest in the available World Bank World Development Indicators series for North Korea.
- Rank in East Asia & Pacific
- #33 of 34 (2022)
- North Korea ranks 33 of 34 countries in East Asia & Pacific with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #209 of 210 (2022)
- North Korea ranks 209 of 210 countries with data globally.
- East Asia & Pacific average
- 128.1 per 100 people (2022)
- North Korea (24.1 per 100 people) is below the average of 128.1 per 100 people across the 34 countries in East Asia & Pacific with data.
- Projected 2026 value
- 35.7 per 100 people (2026)
- Projection based on 8-year trend (CAGR 10.3%); not an official figure.
- Mobile cellular subscriptions (2022)
- 6.4 million (2022)
- Related indicator from World Bank World Development Indicators.
- Internet use in North Korea (2004)
- 0% (2004)
- 0% of the population in North Korea used the internet in 2004 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 26.5 million (2024)
- North Korea had a population of 26.5 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 1990–2022
| Year | per 100 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 24.1 | +5.5% |
| 2021 | 22.9 | −0.4% |
| 2020 | 23 | +40.5% |
| 2019 | 16.3 | +10.7% |
| 2017 | 14.8 | +5.2% |
| 2016 | 14 | +10.8% |
| 2015 | 12.7 | +15.2% |
| 2014 | 11 | +15.1% |
| 2013 | 9.6 | +41.7% |
| 2012 | 6.7 | +69.2% |
| 2011 | 4 | +130.5% |
| 2010 | 1.7 | +520.9% |
| 2009 | 0.3 | — |
| 2008 | 0 | — |
| 2007 | 0 | — |
| 2006 | 0 | — |
| 2005 | 0 | — |
| 2004 | 0 | — |
| 2003 | 0 | — |
| 2002 | 0 | — |
| 2001 | 0 | — |
| 2000 | 0 | — |
| 1999 | 0 | — |
| 1998 | 0 | — |
| 1997 | 0 | — |
| 1996 | 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 North Korea?
Mobile cellular subscriptions in North Korea stood at 24.1 per 100 people in 2022, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data.
How recent is the mobile subscriptions data for North Korea?
The most recent observation is from 2022. World Bank World Development Indicators data is reported with a lag, so 2022 is the latest available year for North Korea.
Where does the mobile subscriptions data for North Korea come from?
The data comes from the World Bank World Development Indicators (indicator IT.CEL.SETS.P2). The latest observation for North Korea is from 2022; the snapshot was retrieved on 2026-06-10.
How has mobile subscriptions in North Korea changed over time?
World Bank World Development Indicators data show a rise from 0 per 100 people in 1990 to 24.1 per 100 people in 2022.
How does North Korea compare with other countries in East Asia & Pacific?
North Korea ranks 33 of 34 countries in East Asia & Pacific with data, with 24.1 per 100 people versus a regional average of 128.1 per 100 people (latest values per country).
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 .