Mobile phone subscriptions in Pakistan
Pakistan: Mobile phone subscriptions was 193.11 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Mobile phone subscriptions in Pakistan, 1980–2024
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 Pakistan is 193.11 million, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 45 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.9% on the previous year and up 42.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile phone subscriptions in Pakistan peaked at 193.11 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1980.
Pakistan ranks 8th of 212 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Mobile phone subscriptions in Pakistan, 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 | 2,000 | — |
| 1991 | 8,500 | +325.0% |
| 1992 | 13,500 | +58.8% |
| 1993 | 16,000 | +18.5% |
| 1994 | 24,662 | +54.1% |
| 1995 | 40,964 | +66.1% |
| 1996 | 68,038 | +66.1% |
| 1997 | 135,027 | +98.5% |
| 1998 | 196,096 | +45.2% |
| 1999 | 265,614 | +35.5% |
| 2000 | 306,493 | +15.4% |
| 2001 | 742,606 | +142.3% |
| 2002 | 1.70 million | +128.7% |
| 2003 | 2.40 million | +41.6% |
| 2004 | 5.02 million | +108.9% |
| 2005 | 12.77 million | +154.3% |
| 2006 | 34.51 million | +170.2% |
| 2007 | 62.86 million | +82.2% |
| 2008 | 88.02 million | +40.0% |
| 2009 | 94.34 million | +7.2% |
| 2010 | 99.19 million | +5.1% |
| 2011 | 108.89 million | +9.8% |
| 2012 | 120.15 million | +10.3% |
| 2013 | 127.74 million | +6.3% |
| 2014 | 135.76 million | +6.3% |
| 2015 | 125.90 million | -7.3% |
| 2016 | 136.49 million | +8.4% |
| 2017 | 144.53 million | +5.9% |
| 2018 | 153.99 million | +6.5% |
| 2019 | 165.41 million | +7.4% |
| 2020 | 175.62 million | +6.2% |
| 2021 | 188.71 million | +7.5% |
| 2022 | 192.78 million | +2.2% |
| 2023 | 189.44 million | -1.7% |
| 2024 | 193.11 million | +1.9% |
Pakistan compared with similar countries
- Pakistan's 193.11 million is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 12.17 million, 15.9× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Pakistan's 193.11 million is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 16.65 million, 11.6× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Mobile phone subscriptions in Pakistan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | +325.0% | 2,000 | 8,500 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1990s | 77,040 | 2,000 | 265,614 | 10 |
| 2000s | 30.27 million | 306,493 | 94.34 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 131.80 million | 99.19 million | 165.41 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 187.93 million | 175.62 million | 193.11 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near Pakistan
More science & technology data for Pakistan
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 76.85 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 0.7685 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0.0005 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 193.11 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 245.74 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 0.4112 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 1.94 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 20,519 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0001 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile phone subscriptions in Pakistan?
- Mobile phone subscriptions in Pakistan was 193.11 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 Pakistan?
- The highest recorded value was 193.11 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in Pakistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1980.
- How does Pakistan rank for mobile phone subscriptions?
- Pakistan ranks 8th out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is mobile phone subscriptions rising or falling in Pakistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 42.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Pakistan 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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