Mobile phone subscriptions in Nepal
Nepal: Mobile phone subscriptions was 29.61 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Mobile phone subscriptions in Nepal, 1980–2024
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2024, mobile phone subscriptions in Nepal stood at 29.61 million.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 15.3% on the previous year and up 28.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile phone subscriptions in Nepal peaked at 39.18 million in 2018 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1980.
That places Nepal 49th out of 212 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Mobile phone subscriptions in Nepal, 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 | 0 | — |
| 1993 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 0 | — |
| 1995 | 0 | — |
| 1996 | 0 | — |
| 1997 | 0 | — |
| 1998 | 0 | — |
| 1999 | 5,500 | — |
| 2000 | 10,226 | +85.9% |
| 2001 | 17,286 | +69.0% |
| 2002 | 21,881 | +26.6% |
| 2003 | 81,867 | +274.1% |
| 2004 | 116,778 | +42.6% |
| 2005 | 227,316 | +94.7% |
| 2006 | 1.16 million | +409.0% |
| 2007 | 3.27 million | +182.5% |
| 2008 | 4.20 million | +28.5% |
| 2009 | 5.60 million | +33.3% |
| 2010 | 9.20 million | +64.3% |
| 2011 | 13.35 million | +45.2% |
| 2012 | 16.61 million | +24.4% |
| 2013 | 21.36 million | +28.6% |
| 2014 | 23.02 million | +7.8% |
| 2015 | 27.52 million | +19.5% |
| 2016 | 32.12 million | +16.7% |
| 2017 | 36.10 million | +12.4% |
| 2018 | 39.18 million | +8.5% |
| 2019 | 38.70 million | -1.2% |
| 2020 | 38.21 million | -1.2% |
| 2021 | 38.21 million | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 35.99 million | -5.8% |
| 2023 | 34.97 million | -2.8% |
| 2024 | 29.61 million | -15.3% |
Nepal compared with similar countries
- Nepal's 29.61 million is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 12.17 million, 2.4× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Nepal's 29.61 million is below the median for South Asia, which is 30.11 million, 98% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Mobile phone subscriptions in Nepal 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | +409.0% | 227,316 | 1.16 million |
| 2003 | +274.1% | 21,881 | 81,867 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1990s | 550 | 0 | 5,500 | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.47 million | 10,226 | 5.60 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 25.71 million | 9.20 million | 39.18 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 35.40 million | 29.61 million | 38.21 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near Nepal
More science & technology data for Nepal
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 99.85 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 0.9985 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0.0007 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 29.61 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 243.94 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate -15.21 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate -15.34 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 1,591 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0001 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile phone subscriptions in Nepal?
- Mobile phone subscriptions in Nepal was 29.61 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 Nepal?
- The highest recorded value was 39.18 million in 2018.
- What is the lowest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in Nepal?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1980.
- How does Nepal rank for mobile phone subscriptions?
- Nepal ranks 49th out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is mobile phone subscriptions rising or falling in Nepal?
- Over the last ten years it is up 28.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nepal 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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