Mobile Subscriptions Statistics in South Africa (2026)
South Africa recorded mobile cellular subscriptions of 179.3 per 100 people in 2024, World Bank World Development Indicators data show. Up from 171.5 per 100 people in 2023 to 179.3 per 100 people in 2024. South Africa ranks #2 of 48 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa on this measure, and #11 of 210 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 179.3 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile Subscriptions in South Africa as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank World Development Indicators data.
- Change since 2023
- +4.6% (2024)
- Up from 171.5 per 100 people in 2023 to 179.3 per 100 people in 2024.
- CAGR 1990–2024
- +32% per year (2024)
- Compound annual growth rate from 0 per 100 people in 1990 to 179.3 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 179.3 per 100 people in 2024.
- Record high (2024)
- 179.3 per 100 people (2024)
- The 2024 value is the highest in the available World Bank World Development Indicators series for South Africa.
- Rank in Sub-Saharan Africa
- #2 of 48 (2024)
- South Africa ranks 2 of 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #11 of 210 (2024)
- South Africa ranks 11 of 210 countries with data globally.
- Sub-Saharan Africa average
- 96.2 per 100 people (2024)
- South Africa (179.3 per 100 people) is above the average of 96.2 per 100 people across the 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data.
- Projected 2026 value
- 187.5 per 100 people (2026)
- Projection based on 7-year trend (CAGR 2.2%); not an official figure.
- Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024)
- 114.8 million (2024)
- Related indicator from World Bank World Development Indicators.
- Internet use in South Africa (2024)
- 78.4% (2024)
- 78.4% of the population in South Africa used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 64 million (2024)
- South Africa had a population of 64 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 1990–2024
| Year | per 100 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 179 | +4.6% |
| 2023 | 172 | +6.7% |
| 2022 | 161 | −1.5% |
| 2021 | 163 | +3.0% |
| 2020 | 158 | −2.6% |
| 2019 | 163 | +3.2% |
| 2018 | 158 | +2.7% |
| 2017 | 154 | +6.7% |
| 2016 | 144 | −7.2% |
| 2015 | 155 | +8.8% |
| 2014 | 143 | +1.4% |
| 2013 | 141 | +10.5% |
| 2012 | 127 | +5.3% |
| 2011 | 121 | +25.5% |
| 2010 | 96.2 | +7.2% |
| 2009 | 89.8 | +2.0% |
| 2008 | 88 | +5.2% |
| 2007 | 83.7 | +5.5% |
| 2006 | 79.3 | +15.6% |
| 2005 | 68.6 | +61.3% |
| 2004 | 42.5 | +22.4% |
| 2003 | 34.8 | +21.8% |
| 2002 | 28.5 | +25.8% |
| 2001 | 22.7 | +28.2% |
| 2000 | 17.7 | +58.0% |
| 1999 | 11.2 | +53.8% |
| 1998 | 7.3 | +79.5% |
| 1997 | 4.1 | +90.0% |
| 1996 | 2.1 | +75.4% |
| 1995 | 1.2 | +54.8% |
| 1994 | 0.8 | +735.4% |
| 1993 | 0.1 | +214.0% |
| 1992 | 0 | +72.6% |
| 1991 | 0 | +21.8% |
| 1990 | 0 | — |
Frequently asked questions
What is the latest figure for mobile cellular subscriptions in South Africa?
Mobile cellular subscriptions in South Africa stood at 179.3 per 100 people in 2024, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data.
Where does South Africa rank globally on mobile subscriptions?
South Africa ranks 11 of 210 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank World Development Indicators value for each country.
What could mobile subscriptions in South Africa look like in 2026?
A trend-based projection puts it at 187.5 per 100 people in 2026. Projection based on 7-year trend (CAGR 2.2%); not an official figure.
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 .