Mobile phone subscriptions in India
India: Mobile phone subscriptions was 1.15 billion in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Mobile phone subscriptions in India, 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 India is 1.15 billion, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 0.6% on the previous year and up 22.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile phone subscriptions in India peaked at 1.18 billion in 2018 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1980.
That places India 2nd 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.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1990s | 436,620 | 0 | 1.88 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 147.08 million | 3.58 million | 525.09 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 996.64 million | 752.19 million | 1.18 billion | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.15 billion | 1.14 billion | 1.16 billion | 5 |
Countries ranked near India
More science & technology data for India
- Scientific and technical journal articles 228,174 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 79.35 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 79.35 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 35,306 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 70.0% (2025)
- Patent applications, residents 26,267 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 0.6% (2020)
- Number of people using the Internet 696.61 million users (2021)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 3.15 per 100 people (2024)
- Landline Internet subscriptions 45.71 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile phone subscriptions in India?
- Mobile phone subscriptions in India was 1.15 billion 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 India?
- The highest recorded value was 1.18 billion in 2018.
- What is the lowest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1980.
- How does India rank for mobile phone subscriptions?
- India ranks 2nd out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is mobile phone subscriptions rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is up 22.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India 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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CSV · JSON — 45 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).