Mobile phone subscriptions in Malaysia
Malaysia: Mobile phone subscriptions was 49.66 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
49.66 million
Change on year
down 0.9%
World rank
38th
of 212 countries
All-time high
50.14 million
in 2023
All-time low
0
in 1980
Years of data
45
1980–2024
Mobile phone subscriptions in Malaysia, 1980–2024
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2024, mobile phone subscriptions in Malaysia stood at 49.66 million.
That represents a change of down 0.9% on the previous year and up 10.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile phone subscriptions in Malaysia peaked at 50.14 million in 2023 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1980.
Malaysia ranks 38th 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 Malaysia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 0 | — |
| 1984 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 0 | — |
| 1986 | 10,817 | — |
| 1987 | 17,411 | +61.0% |
| 1988 | 27,302 | +56.8% |
| 1989 | 39,419 | +44.4% |
| 1990 | 86,620 | +119.7% |
| 1991 | 130,000 | +50.1% |
| 1992 | 200,573 | +54.3% |
| 1993 | 340,022 | +69.5% |
| 1994 | 571,720 | +68.1% |
| 1995 | 1.01 million | +75.8% |
| 1996 | 1.52 million | +51.3% |
| 1997 | 2.00 million | +31.6% |
| 1998 | 2.20 million | +10.0% |
| 1999 | 2.99 million | +35.9% |
| 2000 | 5.12 million | +71.3% |
| 2001 | 7.38 million | +44.2% |
| 2002 | 9.05 million | +22.6% |
| 2003 | 11.12 million | +22.9% |
| 2004 | 14.61 million | +31.3% |
| 2005 | 19.55 million | +33.8% |
| 2006 | 19.46 million | -0.4% |
| 2007 | 23.35 million | +20.0% |
| 2008 | 27.71 million | +18.7% |
| 2009 | 30.14 million | +8.8% |
| 2010 | 33.86 million | +12.3% |
| 2011 | 36.66 million | +8.3% |
| 2012 | 41.32 million | +12.7% |
| 2013 | 43.01 million | +4.1% |
| 2014 | 44.93 million | +4.5% |
| 2015 | 44.10 million | -1.8% |
| 2016 | 43.46 million | -1.4% |
| 2017 | 42.34 million | -2.6% |
| 2018 | 42.41 million | +0.2% |
| 2019 | 44.60 million | +5.2% |
| 2020 | 43.72 million | -2.0% |
| 2021 | 47.20 million | +8.0% |
| 2022 | 47.95 million | +1.6% |
| 2023 | 50.14 million | +4.6% |
| 2024 | 49.66 million | -0.9% |
Malaysia compared with similar countries
- Malaysia's 49.66 million is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 8.03 million, 6.2× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- Malaysia's 49.66 million is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 4.10 million, 12.1× the median. (37 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 9,495 | 0 | 39,419 | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.10 million | 86,620 | 2.99 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 16.75 million | 5.12 million | 30.14 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 41.67 million | 33.86 million | 44.93 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 47.74 million | 43.72 million | 50.14 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
More science & technology data for Malaysia
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 139.66 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.4 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 49.66 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 152.6 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate -2.15 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate -0.9474 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 23,691 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0007 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile phone subscriptions in Malaysia?
- Mobile phone subscriptions in Malaysia was 49.66 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 Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 50.14 million in 2023.
- What is the lowest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1980.
- How does Malaysia rank for mobile phone subscriptions?
- Malaysia ranks 38th out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is mobile phone subscriptions rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 10.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malaysia 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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