Number of radio sets in Africa

Africa: Number of radio sets was 18.96 million in 2008. β—† Volatile

Latest (2008)
18.96 million
Change on year
down 8.7%
Rank
1st
of 2 groups
All-time high
170.72 million
in 2001
All-time low
6.67 million
in 2006
Years of data
35
1970–2008

Number of radio sets in Africa, 1970–2008

050.0M100.0M150.0M1970198920081970: 26.7M1975: 37.8M1976: 25.6M1977: 26.0M1978: 29.6M1979: 32.2M1980: 55.5M1981: 42.0M1982: 45.1M1983: 49.8M1984: 54.7M1985: 87.8M1986: 66.0M1987: 66.6M1988: 69.6M1989: 78.5M1990: 97.9M1991: 103.2M1992: 108.2M1993: 115.1M1994: 121.7M1995: 128.3M1996: 135.5M1997: 142.5M1998: 151.2M1999: 156.4M2000: 161.2M2001: 170.7M2002: 108.9M2003: 9.2M2004: 8.6M2005: 37.7M2006: 6.7M2007: 20.8M2008: 19.0M

Source: International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates.

Analysis

Africa recorded 18.96 million for number of radio sets in 2008.

That represents a change of down 8.7% on the previous year and down 87.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, number of radio sets in Africa peaked at 170.72 million in 2001 and was at its lowest, 6.67 million, in 2006.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 29.64 million 25.64 million 37.80 million 6
1980s 61.56 million 41.98 million 87.83 million 10
1990s 125.98 million 97.93 million 156.39 million 10
2000s 60.31 million 6.67 million 170.72 million 9

Countries ranked near Africa

  1. 1 Nigeria 30.96 million compare
  2. 2 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 20.00 million compare
  3. 3 Sudan 15.15 million compare
  4. 4 Egypt, Arab Republic of 14.56 million compare

See the full ranking of 59 places β†’

More science & technology data for Africa

All data for Africa β†’

Frequently asked questions

What is number of radio sets in Africa?
Number of radio sets in Africa was 18.96 million in 2008, according to International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates.
What is the highest number of radio sets recorded in Africa?
The highest recorded value was 170.72 million in 2001.
What is the lowest number of radio sets recorded in Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 6.67 million in 2006.
How does Africa rank for number of radio sets?
Africa ranks 1st out of 2 groups with data for 2008.
Is number of radio sets rising or falling in Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 87.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Africa data come from?
The figures come from International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates, published as part of Number of radio sets. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Number of radio sets in Africa. Statizoid, drawing on International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates. Retrieved 19 August 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/number-of-radio-sets/africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Number of radio sets
Source
International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
59 places, 1,603 data points, 1970–2008
Last refreshed

Please cite the International Telecommunication Union for third-party use of these data. The total number of radio sets. A radio set is a device capable of receiving broadcast radio signals, using popular frequencies, such as FM, AM, LW and SW. A radio set may be a stand-alone device, or it may be integrated into another device, such as a Walkman, a car or an alarm clock.