Mobile phone subscriptions in United States
United States: Mobile phone subscriptions was 390.99 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Mobile phone subscriptions in United States, 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 United States is 390.99 million, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 42 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.3% on the previous year and up 21.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile phone subscriptions in United States peaked at 390.99 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1980.
United States ranks 3rd 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 United States, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 | — |
| 1984 | 91,600 | — |
| 1985 | 340,213 | +271.4% |
| 1986 | 681,825 | +100.4% |
| 1987 | 1.23 million | +80.5% |
| 1988 | 2.07 million | +68.1% |
| 1989 | 3.51 million | +69.6% |
| 1990 | 5.28 million | +50.6% |
| 1991 | 7.56 million | +43.0% |
| 1992 | 11.03 million | +46.0% |
| 1993 | 16.01 million | +45.1% |
| 1994 | 24.13 million | +50.8% |
| 1995 | 33.79 million | +40.0% |
| 1996 | 44.04 million | +30.4% |
| 1997 | 55.31 million | +25.6% |
| 1998 | 69.21 million | +25.1% |
| 1999 | 86.05 million | +24.3% |
| 2000 | 109.48 million | +27.2% |
| 2001 | 128.50 million | +17.4% |
| 2002 | 141.80 million | +10.4% |
| 2003 | 160.64 million | +13.3% |
| 2004 | 184.82 million | +15.1% |
| 2005 | 203.70 million | +10.2% |
| 2006 | 229.60 million | +12.7% |
| 2007 | 249.30 million | +8.6% |
| 2008 | 261.30 million | +4.8% |
| 2009 | 274.28 million | +5.0% |
| 2010 | 285.12 million | +4.0% |
| 2011 | 297.40 million | +4.3% |
| 2012 | 304.84 million | +2.5% |
| 2013 | 310.70 million | +1.9% |
| 2014 | 322.60 million | +3.8% |
| 2015 | 332.10 million | +2.9% |
| 2016 | 338.24 million | +1.8% |
| 2017 | 340.11 million | +0.6% |
| 2018 | 348.24 million | +2.4% |
| 2019 | 355.76 million | +2.2% |
| 2020 | 352.52 million | -0.9% |
| 2021 | 361.68 million | +2.6% |
| 2022 | 371.54 million | +2.7% |
| 2023 | 386.11 million | +3.9% |
| 2024 | 390.99 million | +1.3% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 390.99 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 4.70 million, 83.2× the median. (82 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Mobile phone subscriptions in United States 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | +271.4% | 91,600 | 340,213 |
| 1986 | +100.4% | 340,213 | 681,825 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1.13 million | 0 | 3.51 million | 7 |
| 1990s | 35.24 million | 5.28 million | 86.05 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 194.34 million | 109.48 million | 274.28 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 323.51 million | 285.12 million | 355.76 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 372.57 million | 352.52 million | 390.99 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near United States
More science & technology data for United States
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 113.19 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.15 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 390.99 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 42.21 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 0.693 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 1.26 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 430,843 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0013 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile phone subscriptions in United States?
- Mobile phone subscriptions in United States was 390.99 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 States?
- The highest recorded value was 390.99 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1980.
- How does United States rank for mobile phone subscriptions?
- United States ranks 3rd out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is mobile phone subscriptions rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 21.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States 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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