Mobile phone subscriptions in Iceland
Iceland: Mobile phone subscriptions was 475,724 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Mobile phone subscriptions in Iceland, 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 Iceland is 475,724, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 45 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.0% on the previous year and up 28.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile phone subscriptions in Iceland peaked at 475,724 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1980.
Iceland ranks 173rd of 212 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Mobile phone subscriptions in Iceland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 0 | — |
| 1984 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 0 | — |
| 1986 | 2,642 | — |
| 1987 | 5,008 | +89.6% |
| 1988 | 6,519 | +30.2% |
| 1989 | 7,893 | +21.1% |
| 1990 | 10,010 | +26.8% |
| 1991 | 12,889 | +28.8% |
| 1992 | 15,251 | +18.3% |
| 1993 | 17,409 | +14.1% |
| 1994 | 21,845 | +25.5% |
| 1995 | 30,883 | +41.4% |
| 1996 | 46,805 | +51.6% |
| 1997 | 65,368 | +39.7% |
| 1998 | 104,280 | +59.5% |
| 1999 | 172,614 | +65.5% |
| 2000 | 214,896 | +24.5% |
| 2001 | 248,131 | +15.5% |
| 2002 | 260,438 | +5.0% |
| 2003 | 279,670 | +7.4% |
| 2004 | 290,068 | +3.7% |
| 2005 | 283,108 | -2.4% |
| 2006 | 301,922 | +6.6% |
| 2007 | 326,098 | +8.0% |
| 2008 | 336,922 | +3.3% |
| 2009 | 339,715 | +0.8% |
| 2010 | 341,077 | +0.4% |
| 2011 | 344,085 | +0.9% |
| 2012 | 352,114 | +2.3% |
| 2013 | 356,264 | +1.2% |
| 2014 | 370,047 | +3.9% |
| 2015 | 383,919 | +3.7% |
| 2016 | 401,613 | +4.6% |
| 2017 | 401,231 | -0.1% |
| 2018 | 411,361 | +2.5% |
| 2019 | 413,446 | +0.5% |
| 2020 | 421,384 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | 437,270 | +3.8% |
| 2022 | 456,864 | +4.5% |
| 2023 | 470,788 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | 475,724 | +1.0% |
Iceland compared with similar countries
- Iceland's 475,724 is below the median for high income countries, which is 4.70 million, 10% of the median. (82 countries reporting)
- Iceland's 475,724 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 7.71 million, 6% of the median. (55 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Mobile phone subscriptions in Iceland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | +89.6% | 2,642 | 5,008 |
| 1999 | +65.5% | 104,280 | 172,614 |
| 1998 | +59.5% | 65,368 | 104,280 |
| 1996 | +51.6% | 30,883 | 46,805 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 2,206 | 0 | 7,893 | 10 |
| 1990s | 49,735 | 10,010 | 172,614 | 10 |
| 2000s | 288,097 | 214,896 | 339,715 | 10 |
| 2010s | 377,516 | 341,077 | 413,446 | 10 |
| 2020s | 452,406 | 421,384 | 475,724 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Iceland
More science & technology data for Iceland
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 120.93 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.23 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 475,724 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 4.67 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate -0.4503 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 1.05 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 715.97 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0019 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile phone subscriptions in Iceland?
- Mobile phone subscriptions in Iceland was 475,724 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 Iceland?
- The highest recorded value was 475,724 in 2024.
- What is the lowest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in Iceland?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1980.
- How does Iceland rank for mobile phone subscriptions?
- Iceland ranks 173rd out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is mobile phone subscriptions rising or falling in Iceland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 28.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iceland 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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