Mobile phone subscriptions in Botswana
Botswana: Mobile phone subscriptions was 4.13 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Mobile phone subscriptions in Botswana, 1980–2024
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2024, mobile phone subscriptions in Botswana stood at 4.13 million.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 6.9% on the previous year and up 21.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile phone subscriptions in Botswana peaked at 4.44 million in 2023 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1980.
Botswana ranks 132nd of 212 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.
Mobile phone subscriptions in Botswana, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 0 | — |
| 1984 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 0 | — |
| 1986 | 0 | — |
| 1987 | 0 | — |
| 1988 | 0 | — |
| 1989 | 0 | — |
| 1990 | 0 | — |
| 1991 | 0 | — |
| 1992 | 0 | — |
| 1993 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 0 | — |
| 1995 | 0 | — |
| 1996 | 0 | — |
| 1997 | 0 | — |
| 1998 | 15,190 | — |
| 1999 | 92,000 | +505.7% |
| 2000 | 222,190 | +141.5% |
| 2001 | 332,264 | +49.5% |
| 2002 | 332,264 | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 444,978 | +33.9% |
| 2004 | 522,840 | +17.5% |
| 2005 | 563,782 | +7.8% |
| 2006 | 823,070 | +46.0% |
| 2007 | 1.15 million | +39.9% |
| 2008 | 1.49 million | +29.0% |
| 2009 | 1.87 million | +26.1% |
| 2010 | 2.36 million | +26.1% |
| 2011 | 2.90 million | +22.7% |
| 2012 | 3.08 million | +6.3% |
| 2013 | 3.25 million | +5.4% |
| 2014 | 3.41 million | +5.0% |
| 2015 | 3.48 million | +1.9% |
| 2016 | 3.29 million | -5.4% |
| 2017 | 3.24 million | -1.5% |
| 2018 | 3.38 million | +4.3% |
| 2019 | 3.75 million | +10.8% |
| 2020 | 3.83 million | +2.2% |
| 2021 | 4.16 million | +8.6% |
| 2022 | 4.35 million | +4.5% |
| 2023 | 4.44 million | +2.1% |
| 2024 | 4.13 million | -6.9% |
Botswana compared with similar countries
- Botswana's 4.13 million is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 8.03 million, 52% of the median. (58 countries reporting)
- Botswana's 4.13 million is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 13.69 million, 30% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Mobile phone subscriptions in Botswana changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | +505.7% | 15,190 | 92,000 |
| 2000 | +141.5% | 92,000 | 222,190 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1990s | 10,719 | 0 | 92,000 | 10 |
| 2000s | 775,304 | 222,190 | 1.87 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.21 million | 2.36 million | 3.75 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.18 million | 3.83 million | 4.44 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
More science & technology data for Botswana
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 164 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.64 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 4.13 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 7.83 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate -8.39 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate -6.88 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 383.84 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0002 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile phone subscriptions in Botswana?
- Mobile phone subscriptions in Botswana was 4.13 million in 2024, according to International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 4.44 million in 2023.
- What is the lowest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1980.
- How does Botswana rank for mobile phone subscriptions?
- Botswana ranks 132nd out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is mobile phone subscriptions rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 21.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Botswana data come from?
- The figures come from International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Mobile phone subscriptions. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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