Mobile phone subscriptions in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates: Mobile phone subscriptions was 22.41 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
22.41 million
Change on year
up 5.6%
World rank
62nd
of 212 countries
All-time high
22.41 million
in 2024
All-time low
2,330
in 1982
Years of data
43
1982–2024
Mobile phone subscriptions in United Arab Emirates, 1982–2024
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
United Arab Emirates recorded 22.41 million for mobile phone subscriptions in 2024. That is the highest value across all 43 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 5.6% on the previous year and up 33.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile phone subscriptions in United Arab Emirates peaked at 22.41 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 2,330, in 1982.
United Arab Emirates ranks 62nd 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 United Arab Emirates, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 2,330 | — |
| 1983 | 3,564 | +53.0% |
| 1984 | 4,936 | +38.5% |
| 1985 | 7,924 | +60.5% |
| 1986 | 11,191 | +41.2% |
| 1987 | 13,711 | +22.5% |
| 1988 | 13,823 | +0.8% |
| 1989 | 24,946 | +80.5% |
| 1990 | 33,578 | +34.6% |
| 1991 | 43,008 | +28.1% |
| 1992 | 48,919 | +13.7% |
| 1993 | 70,586 | +44.3% |
| 1994 | 91,488 | +29.6% |
| 1995 | 128,968 | +41.0% |
| 1996 | 193,834 | +50.3% |
| 1997 | 309,373 | +59.6% |
| 1998 | 493,278 | +59.4% |
| 1999 | 832,267 | +68.7% |
| 2000 | 1.43 million | +71.6% |
| 2001 | 1.91 million | +33.7% |
| 2002 | 2.43 million | +27.2% |
| 2003 | 2.97 million | +22.4% |
| 2004 | 3.68 million | +23.9% |
| 2005 | 4.53 million | +23.1% |
| 2006 | 5.52 million | +21.7% |
| 2007 | 7.73 million | +40.1% |
| 2008 | 9.36 million | +21.0% |
| 2009 | 10.67 million | +14.0% |
| 2010 | 10.93 million | +2.4% |
| 2011 | 11.73 million | +7.3% |
| 2012 | 13.78 million | +17.5% |
| 2013 | 16.06 million | +16.6% |
| 2014 | 16.82 million | +4.7% |
| 2015 | 17.94 million | +6.7% |
| 2016 | 19.91 million | +10.9% |
| 2017 | 19.83 million | -0.4% |
| 2018 | 20.08 million | +1.3% |
| 2019 | 19.60 million | -2.4% |
| 2020 | 18.37 million | -6.3% |
| 2021 | 18.24 million | -0.7% |
| 2022 | 20.04 million | +9.9% |
| 2023 | 21.22 million | +5.9% |
| 2024 | 22.41 million | +5.6% |
United Arab Emirates compared with similar countries
- United Arab Emirates's 22.41 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 4.70 million, 4.8× the median. (82 countries reporting)
- United Arab Emirates's 22.41 million is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 16.65 million, 1.3× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 10,303 | 2,330 | 24,946 | 8 |
| 1990s | 224,530 | 33,578 | 832,267 | 10 |
| 2000s | 5.02 million | 1.43 million | 10.67 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 16.67 million | 10.93 million | 20.08 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 20.06 million | 18.24 million | 22.41 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near United Arab Emirates
More science & technology data for United Arab Emirates
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 203.21 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 2.04 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 22.41 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 298.83 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 1.9 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 5.58 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 7,075 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0007 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile phone subscriptions in United Arab Emirates?
- Mobile phone subscriptions in United Arab Emirates was 22.41 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 United Arab Emirates?
- The highest recorded value was 22.41 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,330 in 1982.
- How does United Arab Emirates rank for mobile phone subscriptions?
- United Arab Emirates ranks 62nd out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is mobile phone subscriptions rising or falling in United Arab Emirates?
- Over the last ten years it is up 33.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Arab Emirates 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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