Mobile phone subscriptions in Italy
Italy: Mobile phone subscriptions was 78.67 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Mobile phone subscriptions in Italy, 1980–2024
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2024, mobile phone subscriptions in Italy stood at 78.67 million.
The figure is up 0.3% on the previous year and down 12.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile phone subscriptions in Italy peaked at 97.19 million in 2012 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1980.
Italy ranks 25th of 212 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Mobile phone subscriptions in Italy, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 0 | — |
| 1984 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 6,415 | — |
| 1986 | 9,044 | +41.0% |
| 1987 | 16,534 | +82.8% |
| 1988 | 33,609 | +103.3% |
| 1989 | 66,070 | +96.6% |
| 1990 | 266,000 | +302.6% |
| 1991 | 568,000 | +113.5% |
| 1992 | 783,000 | +37.9% |
| 1993 | 1.21 million | +54.2% |
| 1994 | 2.24 million | +85.6% |
| 1995 | 3.92 million | +75.1% |
| 1996 | 6.42 million | +63.7% |
| 1997 | 11.74 million | +82.8% |
| 1998 | 20.49 million | +74.6% |
| 1999 | 30.30 million | +47.9% |
| 2000 | 42.25 million | +39.4% |
| 2001 | 51.25 million | +21.3% |
| 2002 | 54.20 million | +5.8% |
| 2003 | 56.77 million | +4.7% |
| 2004 | 62.75 million | +10.5% |
| 2005 | 71.50 million | +13.9% |
| 2006 | 80.42 million | +12.5% |
| 2007 | 89.80 million | +11.7% |
| 2008 | 90.34 million | +0.6% |
| 2009 | 90.03 million | -0.3% |
| 2010 | 93.67 million | +4.0% |
| 2011 | 96.04 million | +2.5% |
| 2012 | 97.19 million | +1.2% |
| 2013 | 96.86 million | -0.3% |
| 2014 | 89.91 million | -7.2% |
| 2015 | 87.69 million | -2.5% |
| 2016 | 85.96 million | -2.0% |
| 2017 | 83.87 million | -2.4% |
| 2018 | 83.34 million | -0.6% |
| 2019 | 79.48 million | -4.6% |
| 2020 | 77.58 million | -2.4% |
| 2021 | 78.11 million | +0.7% |
| 2022 | 78.50 million | +0.5% |
| 2023 | 78.46 million | -0.1% |
| 2024 | 78.67 million | +0.3% |
Italy compared with similar countries
- Italy's 78.67 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 4.70 million, 16.7× the median. (82 countries reporting)
- Italy's 78.67 million is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 7.71 million, 10.2× the median. (55 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Mobile phone subscriptions in Italy 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | +302.6% | 66,070 | 266,000 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 13,167 | 0 | 66,070 | 10 |
| 1990s | 7.79 million | 266,000 | 30.30 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 68.93 million | 42.25 million | 90.34 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 89.40 million | 79.48 million | 97.19 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 78.27 million | 77.58 million | 78.67 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near Italy
More science & technology data for Italy
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 132.57 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.33 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 78.67 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 265.33 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 0.5331 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 0.2689 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 82,771 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0014 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile phone subscriptions in Italy?
- Mobile phone subscriptions in Italy was 78.67 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 Italy?
- The highest recorded value was 97.19 million in 2012.
- What is the lowest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in Italy?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1980.
- How does Italy rank for mobile phone subscriptions?
- Italy ranks 25th out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is mobile phone subscriptions rising or falling in Italy?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Italy 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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