Mobile phone subscriptions in Germany
Germany: Mobile phone subscriptions was 109.20 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Mobile phone subscriptions in Germany, 1980–2024
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for mobile phone subscriptions in Germany is 109.20 million, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 3.6% on the previous year and up 9.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile phone subscriptions in Germany peaked at 109.70 million in 2017 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1980.
That places Germany 18th out of 212 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Mobile phone subscriptions in Germany, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 0 | — |
| 1984 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 1,080 | — |
| 1986 | 23,800 | +2103.7% |
| 1987 | 48,747 | +104.8% |
| 1988 | 98,763 | +102.6% |
| 1989 | 163,619 | +65.7% |
| 1990 | 272,609 | +66.6% |
| 1991 | 532,251 | +95.2% |
| 1992 | 971,890 | +82.6% |
| 1993 | 1.77 million | +82.6% |
| 1994 | 2.49 million | +40.4% |
| 1995 | 3.73 million | +49.6% |
| 1996 | 5.51 million | +48.0% |
| 1997 | 8.28 million | +50.1% |
| 1998 | 13.91 million | +68.1% |
| 1999 | 23.45 million | +68.5% |
| 2000 | 48.20 million | +105.6% |
| 2001 | 56.13 million | +16.4% |
| 2002 | 59.13 million | +5.3% |
| 2003 | 64.80 million | +9.6% |
| 2004 | 71.32 million | +10.1% |
| 2005 | 79.27 million | +11.1% |
| 2006 | 85.65 million | +8.0% |
| 2007 | 96.23 million | +12.4% |
| 2008 | 105.52 million | +9.7% |
| 2009 | 105.00 million | -0.5% |
| 2010 | 88.40 million | -15.8% |
| 2011 | 90.90 million | +2.8% |
| 2012 | 92.40 million | +1.7% |
| 2013 | 100.03 million | +8.3% |
| 2014 | 99.53 million | -0.5% |
| 2015 | 96.36 million | -3.2% |
| 2016 | 103.47 million | +7.4% |
| 2017 | 109.70 million | +6.0% |
| 2018 | 107.50 million | -2.0% |
| 2019 | 107.20 million | -0.3% |
| 2020 | 107.40 million | +0.2% |
| 2021 | 106.40 million | -0.9% |
| 2022 | 104.40 million | -1.9% |
| 2023 | 105.40 million | +1.0% |
| 2024 | 109.20 million | +3.6% |
Germany compared with similar countries
- Germany's 109.20 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 4.70 million, 23.2× the median. (82 countries reporting)
- Germany's 109.20 million is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 7.71 million, 14.2× the median. (55 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Mobile phone subscriptions in Germany 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | +2103.7% | 1,080 | 23,800 |
| 1987 | +104.8% | 23,800 | 48,747 |
| 2000 | +105.6% | 23.45 million | 48.20 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 33,601 | 0 | 163,619 | 10 |
| 1990s | 6.09 million | 272,609 | 23.45 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 77.13 million | 48.20 million | 105.52 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 99.55 million | 88.40 million | 109.70 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 106.56 million | 104.40 million | 109.20 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near Germany
More science & technology data for Germany
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 129.15 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.31 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 109.20 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 301.63 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 3.6 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 3.61 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 108,782 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0013 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile phone subscriptions in Germany?
- Mobile phone subscriptions in Germany was 109.20 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 Germany?
- The highest recorded value was 109.70 million in 2017.
- What is the lowest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in Germany?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1980.
- How does Germany rank for mobile phone subscriptions?
- Germany ranks 18th out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is mobile phone subscriptions rising or falling in Germany?
- Over the last ten years it is up 9.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Germany 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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