Mobile phone subscriptions in Switzerland
Switzerland: Mobile phone subscriptions was 11.55 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Mobile phone subscriptions in Switzerland, 1980–2024
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2024, mobile phone subscriptions in Switzerland stood at 11.55 million. That is the highest value across all 45 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile phone subscriptions in Switzerland peaked at 11.55 million in 2023 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1980.
That places Switzerland 86th out of 212 countries with data for 2024, 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 Switzerland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 0 | — |
| 1984 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 0 | — |
| 1986 | 0 | — |
| 1987 | 5,475 | — |
| 1988 | 30,768 | +462.0% |
| 1989 | 72,735 | +136.4% |
| 1990 | 125,047 | +71.9% |
| 1991 | 174,557 | +39.6% |
| 1992 | 215,061 | +23.2% |
| 1993 | 257,703 | +19.8% |
| 1994 | 332,165 | +28.9% |
| 1995 | 447,167 | +34.6% |
| 1996 | 662,713 | +48.2% |
| 1997 | 1.04 million | +57.6% |
| 1998 | 1.70 million | +62.6% |
| 1999 | 3.06 million | +80.0% |
| 2000 | 4.64 million | +51.7% |
| 2001 | 5.28 million | +13.7% |
| 2002 | 5.74 million | +8.7% |
| 2003 | 6.19 million | +7.9% |
| 2004 | 6.27 million | +1.4% |
| 2005 | 6.83 million | +8.9% |
| 2006 | 7.44 million | +8.8% |
| 2007 | 8.21 million | +10.4% |
| 2008 | 8.90 million | +8.4% |
| 2009 | 9.32 million | +4.8% |
| 2010 | 9.64 million | +3.4% |
| 2011 | 10.08 million | +4.5% |
| 2012 | 10.56 million | +4.7% |
| 2013 | 11.05 million | +4.6% |
| 2014 | 11.15 million | +0.9% |
| 2015 | 11.24 million | +0.8% |
| 2016 | 11.24 million | -0.0% |
| 2017 | 11.09 million | -1.4% |
| 2018 | 10.79 million | -2.7% |
| 2019 | 10.89 million | +0.9% |
| 2020 | 11.01 million | +1.1% |
| 2021 | 10.73 million | -2.5% |
| 2022 | 10.90 million | +1.6% |
| 2023 | 11.55 million | +6.0% |
| 2024 | 11.55 million | +0.0% |
Switzerland compared with similar countries
- Switzerland's 11.55 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 4.70 million, 2.5× the median. (82 countries reporting)
- Switzerland's 11.55 million is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 7.71 million, 1.5× the median. (55 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Mobile phone subscriptions in Switzerland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | +462.0% | 5,475 | 30,768 |
| 1989 | +136.4% | 30,768 | 72,735 |
| 1999 | +80.0% | 1.70 million | 3.06 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 10,898 | 0 | 72,735 | 10 |
| 1990s | 801,486 | 125,047 | 3.06 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 6.88 million | 4.64 million | 9.32 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 10.77 million | 9.64 million | 11.24 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 11.15 million | 10.73 million | 11.55 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near Switzerland
More science & technology data for Switzerland
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 129.47 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.28 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 11.55 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 292.37 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate -0.5767 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 22,804 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0026 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile phone subscriptions in Switzerland?
- Mobile phone subscriptions in Switzerland was 11.55 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 Switzerland?
- The highest recorded value was 11.55 million in 2023.
- What is the lowest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in Switzerland?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1980.
- How does Switzerland rank for mobile phone subscriptions?
- Switzerland ranks 86th out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is mobile phone subscriptions rising or falling in Switzerland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Switzerland 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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