Mobile phone subscriptions in Laos
Laos: Mobile phone subscriptions was 4.96 million in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
4.96 million
Change on year
up 3.6%
World rank
124th
of 212 countries
All-time high
5.48 million
in 2011
All-time low
0
in 1980
Years of data
44
1980–2023
Mobile phone subscriptions in Laos, 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 Laos is 4.96 million, measured in 2023.
The figure is up 3.6% on the previous year and up 7.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile phone subscriptions in Laos peaked at 5.48 million in 2011 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1980.
That places Laos 124th 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 Laos, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 0 | — |
| 1984 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 0 | — |
| 1986 | 0 | — |
| 1987 | 0 | — |
| 1988 | 0 | — |
| 1989 | 0 | — |
| 1990 | 0 | — |
| 1991 | 0 | — |
| 1992 | 290 | — |
| 1993 | 340 | +17.2% |
| 1994 | 625 | +83.8% |
| 1995 | 1,539 | +146.2% |
| 1996 | 3,790 | +146.3% |
| 1997 | 4,915 | +29.7% |
| 1998 | 6,453 | +31.3% |
| 1999 | 12,078 | +87.2% |
| 2000 | 12,681 | +5.0% |
| 2001 | 29,545 | +133.0% |
| 2002 | 55,160 | +86.7% |
| 2003 | 112,275 | +103.5% |
| 2004 | 204,191 | +81.9% |
| 2005 | 657,528 | +222.0% |
| 2006 | 1.01 million | +53.5% |
| 2007 | 1.48 million | +46.4% |
| 2008 | 2.02 million | +36.8% |
| 2009 | 3.23 million | +60.0% |
| 2010 | 4.00 million | +23.8% |
| 2011 | 5.48 million | +36.9% |
| 2012 | 4.30 million | -21.5% |
| 2013 | 4.61 million | +7.3% |
| 2014 | 4.62 million | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 3.73 million | -19.3% |
| 2016 | 3.96 million | +6.2% |
| 2017 | 3.71 million | -6.2% |
| 2018 | 3.66 million | -1.3% |
| 2019 | 4.64 million | +26.6% |
| 2020 | 4.64 million | -0.0% |
| 2021 | 4.82 million | +4.0% |
| 2022 | 4.79 million | -0.7% |
| 2023 | 4.96 million | +3.6% |
Laos compared with similar countries
- Laos's 4.96 million is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 12.17 million, 41% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Laos's 4.96 million is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 4.10 million, 1.2× the median. (37 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1990s | 3,003 | 0 | 12,078 | 10 |
| 2000s | 881,612 | 12,681 | 3.23 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.27 million | 3.66 million | 5.48 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.80 million | 4.64 million | 4.96 million | 4 |
Countries ranked near Laos
More science & technology data for Laos
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 64.76 (2023)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 0.6476 units per person (2023)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0.0003 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 4.96 million (2023)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 21.51 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 2.22 % change on previous year (2023)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 3.65 % change on previous year (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 72.2 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile phone subscriptions in Laos?
- Mobile phone subscriptions in Laos was 4.96 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 Laos?
- The highest recorded value was 5.48 million in 2011.
- What is the lowest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in Laos?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1980.
- How does Laos rank for mobile phone subscriptions?
- Laos ranks 124th out of 212 countries with data for 2023.
- Is mobile phone subscriptions rising or falling in Laos?
- Over the last ten years it is up 7.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Laos 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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