Mobile phone subscriptions in Romania
Romania: Mobile phone subscriptions was 22.78 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Mobile phone subscriptions in Romania, 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 Romania is 22.78 million, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 3.3% on the previous year and down 0.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile phone subscriptions in Romania peaked at 25.10 million in 2009 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1980.
Romania ranks 61st of 212 countries on this measure, 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 Romania, 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 | 800 | — |
| 1994 | 2,775 | +246.9% |
| 1995 | 9,068 | +226.8% |
| 1996 | 17,000 | +87.5% |
| 1997 | 201,000 | +1082.4% |
| 1998 | 643,000 | +219.9% |
| 1999 | 1.36 million | +110.8% |
| 2000 | 2.50 million | +84.4% |
| 2001 | 3.85 million | +53.9% |
| 2002 | 5.11 million | +32.9% |
| 2003 | 7.04 million | +37.8% |
| 2004 | 10.22 million | +45.1% |
| 2005 | 13.35 million | +30.7% |
| 2006 | 15.99 million | +19.7% |
| 2007 | 20.40 million | +27.6% |
| 2008 | 24.47 million | +20.0% |
| 2009 | 25.10 million | +2.6% |
| 2010 | 24.36 million | -2.9% |
| 2011 | 23.42 million | -3.9% |
| 2012 | 22.84 million | -2.5% |
| 2013 | 22.91 million | +0.3% |
| 2014 | 22.92 million | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 23.12 million | +0.9% |
| 2016 | 22.90 million | -1.0% |
| 2017 | 22.40 million | -2.2% |
| 2018 | 22.63 million | +1.0% |
| 2019 | 22.67 million | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 22.59 million | -0.4% |
| 2021 | 22.93 million | +1.5% |
| 2022 | 23.22 million | +1.3% |
| 2023 | 23.56 million | +1.5% |
| 2024 | 22.78 million | -3.3% |
Romania compared with similar countries
- Romania's 22.78 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 4.70 million, 4.8× the median. (82 countries reporting)
- Romania's 22.78 million is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 7.71 million, 3.0× the median. (55 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Mobile phone subscriptions in Romania 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | +1082.4% | 17,000 | 201,000 |
| 1994 | +246.9% | 800 | 2,775 |
| 1995 | +226.8% | 2,775 | 9,068 |
| 1998 | +219.9% | 201,000 | 643,000 |
| 1999 | +110.8% | 643,000 | 1.36 million |
| 1996 | +87.5% | 9,068 | 17,000 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1990s | 222,914 | 0 | 1.36 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 12.80 million | 2.50 million | 25.10 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 23.02 million | 22.40 million | 24.36 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 23.02 million | 22.59 million | 23.56 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near Romania
More science & technology data for Romania
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 119.81 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.2 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 22.78 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 102.42 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate -2.8 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate -3.32 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 10,713 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0006 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile phone subscriptions in Romania?
- Mobile phone subscriptions in Romania was 22.78 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 Romania?
- The highest recorded value was 25.10 million in 2009.
- What is the lowest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in Romania?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1980.
- How does Romania rank for mobile phone subscriptions?
- Romania ranks 61st out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is mobile phone subscriptions rising or falling in Romania?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Romania 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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