Mobile phone subscriptions in Kuwait
Kuwait: Mobile phone subscriptions was 8.11 million in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
8.11 million
Change on year
up 5.0%
World rank
99th
of 212 countries
All-time high
8.11 million
in 2023
All-time low
0
in 1980
Years of data
44
1980–2023
Mobile phone subscriptions in Kuwait, 1980–2023
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 Kuwait is 8.11 million, measured in 2023. That is the highest value across all 44 years on record.
The figure is up 5.0% on the previous year and up 26.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile phone subscriptions in Kuwait peaked at 8.11 million in 2023 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1980.
That places Kuwait 99th out of 212 countries with data for 2023, putting it 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 Kuwait, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 0 | — |
| 1984 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 0 | — |
| 1986 | 8,200 | — |
| 1987 | 14,300 | +74.4% |
| 1988 | 17,500 | +22.4% |
| 1989 | 22,500 | +28.6% |
| 1990 | 20,735 | -7.8% |
| 1991 | 43,000 | +107.4% |
| 1992 | 51,000 | +18.6% |
| 1993 | 64,311 | +26.1% |
| 1994 | 85,195 | +32.5% |
| 1995 | 117,609 | +38.0% |
| 1996 | 151,063 | +28.4% |
| 1997 | 210,000 | +39.0% |
| 1998 | 250,000 | +19.0% |
| 1999 | 300,000 | +20.0% |
| 2000 | 476,000 | +58.7% |
| 2001 | 877,920 | +84.4% |
| 2002 | 1.23 million | +39.8% |
| 2003 | 1.42 million | +15.7% |
| 2004 | 1.77 million | +25.0% |
| 2005 | 1.38 million | -22.1% |
| 2006 | 1.18 million | -14.7% |
| 2007 | 1.43 million | +20.9% |
| 2008 | 1.50 million | +5.2% |
| 2009 | 2.62 million | +74.6% |
| 2010 | 3.98 million | +52.0% |
| 2011 | 4.93 million | +24.0% |
| 2012 | 5.10 million | +3.4% |
| 2013 | 6.41 million | +25.7% |
| 2014 | 7.60 million | +18.6% |
| 2015 | 7.66 million | +0.9% |
| 2016 | 7.66 million | -0.1% |
| 2017 | 7.14 million | -6.8% |
| 2018 | 7.10 million | -0.5% |
| 2019 | 7.33 million | +3.2% |
| 2020 | 6.77 million | -7.6% |
| 2021 | 6.92 million | +2.2% |
| 2022 | 7.73 million | +11.7% |
| 2023 | 8.11 million | +5.0% |
Kuwait compared with similar countries
- Kuwait's 8.11 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 4.70 million, 1.7× the median. (82 countries reporting)
- Kuwait's 8.11 million is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 16.65 million, 49% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 6,250 | 0 | 22,500 | 10 |
| 1990s | 129,291 | 20,735 | 300,000 | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.39 million | 476,000 | 2.62 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 6.49 million | 3.98 million | 7.66 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 7.38 million | 6.77 million | 8.11 million | 4 |
Countries ranked near Kuwait
More science & technology data for Kuwait
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 167.68 (2023)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.67 units per person (2023)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 8.11 million (2023)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 455.32 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate -0.3956 % change on previous year (2023)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 5.01 % change on previous year (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 1,395 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0003 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile phone subscriptions in Kuwait?
- Mobile phone subscriptions in Kuwait was 8.11 million in 2023, 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 Kuwait?
- The highest recorded value was 8.11 million in 2023.
- What is the lowest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in Kuwait?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1980.
- How does Kuwait rank for mobile phone subscriptions?
- Kuwait ranks 99th out of 212 countries with data for 2023.
- Is mobile phone subscriptions rising or falling in Kuwait?
- Over the last ten years it is up 26.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kuwait 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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