Broadband penetration by country in South Africa

South Africa: Broadband penetration by country was 5.35 in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
5.35
Change on year
up 57.0%
World rank
136th
of 206 countries
All-time high
5.35
in 2024
All-time low
0.0056
in 2002
Years of data
23
2002–2024

Broadband penetration by country in South Africa, 2002–2024

02462002201320242002: 0.0062003: 0.0422004: 0.1222005: 0.3342006: 0.672007: 0.7482008: 0.8332009: 0.932010: 1.42011: 1.72012: 2.12013: 32014: 3.12015: 2.52016: 22017: 1.92018: 1.92019: 2.12020: 2.22021: 2.82022: 3.12023: 3.42024: 5.3

Source: Our World in Data.

Analysis

In 2024, broadband penetration by country in South Africa stood at 5.35. That is the highest value across all 23 years on record.

The figure is up 57.0% on the previous year and up 74.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, broadband penetration by country in South Africa peaked at 5.35 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.0056, in 2002.

South Africa ranks 136th of 206 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 0.4607 0.0056 0.9299 8
2010s 2.16 1.42 3.07 10
2020s 3.36 2.15 5.35 5

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 133 Syrian Arab Republic 6.86 compare
  2. 134 Micronesia (Federated States of) 5.82 compare
  3. 135 Nicaragua 5.78 compare
  4. 137 Guatemala 5.34 compare
  5. 138 Turkmenistan 5.22 compare
  6. 139 Indonesia 4.92 compare

See the full ranking of 206 places →

More science & technology data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is broadband penetration by country in South Africa?
Broadband penetration by country in South Africa was 5.35 in 2024, according to Our World in Data.
What is the highest broadband penetration by country recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 5.35 in 2024.
What is the lowest broadband penetration by country recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 0.0056 in 2002.
How does South Africa rank for broadband penetration by country?
South Africa ranks 136th out of 206 countries with data for 2024.
Is broadband penetration by country rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 74.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Broadband penetration by country. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Broadband penetration by country in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Our World in Data. Retrieved 21 August 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/broadband-penetration-by-country/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Broadband penetration by country
Source
Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
206 places, 4,325 data points, 1998–2024
Last refreshed