Number of radio sets in Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa: Number of radio sets was 4.40 million in 2008. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2008)
4.40 million
Change on year
down 17.4%
Rank
3rd
of 6 groups
All-time high
139.03 million
in 2001
All-time low
4.40 million
in 2008
Years of data
35
1970–2008

Number of radio sets in Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa, 1970–2008

050.0M100.0M150.0M1970198920081970: 14.1M1975: 22.4M1976: 18.1M1977: 17.7M1978: 19.6M1979: 21.6M1980: 33.3M1981: 29.4M1982: 32.1M1983: 35.8M1984: 39.7M1985: 55.2M1986: 49.0M1987: 48.6M1988: 50.7M1989: 53.1M1990: 71.7M1991: 76.2M1992: 80.2M1993: 86.2M1994: 92.0M1995: 97.5M1996: 103.6M1997: 110.3M1998: 120.2M1999: 124.8M2000: 129.1M2001: 139.0M2002: 90.3M2003: 9.2M2004: 8.6M2005: 37.7M2006: 6.7M2007: 5.3M2008: 4.4M

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

Analysis

Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa recorded 4.40 million for number of radio sets in 2008. That is the lowest value across all 35 years on record.

That represents a change of down 17.4% on the previous year and down 96.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, number of radio sets in Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa peaked at 139.03 million in 2001 and was at its lowest, 4.40 million, in 2008.

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

Number of radio sets in Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Number of radio sets in Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa, 1970 to 2008.
Year Value Change
1970 14.08 million
1975 22.37 million +58.9%
1976 18.10 million -19.1%
1977 17.67 million -2.4%
1978 19.63 million +11.1%
1979 21.62 million +10.1%
1980 33.30 million +54.1%
1981 29.41 million -11.7%
1982 32.09 million +9.1%
1983 35.80 million +11.6%
1984 39.67 million +10.8%
1985 55.16 million +39.0%
1986 48.99 million -11.2%
1987 48.63 million -0.7%
1988 50.72 million +4.3%
1989 53.15 million +4.8%
1990 71.72 million +34.9%
1991 76.17 million +6.2%
1992 80.18 million +5.3%
1993 86.17 million +7.5%
1994 92.03 million +6.8%
1995 97.53 million +6.0%
1996 103.59 million +6.2%
1997 110.31 million +6.5%
1998 120.24 million +9.0%
1999 124.84 million +3.8%
2000 129.11 million +3.4%
2001 139.03 million +7.7%
2002 90.33 million -35.0%
2003 9.19 million -89.8%
2004 8.58 million -6.7%
2005 37.75 million +339.9%
2006 6.67 million -82.3%
2007 5.32 million -20.2%
2008 4.40 million -17.4%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 18.91 million 14.08 million 22.37 million 6
1980s 42.69 million 29.41 million 55.16 million 10
1990s 96.28 million 71.72 million 124.84 million 10
2000s 47.82 million 4.40 million 139.03 million 9

Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South 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 14.56 million compare
  5. 5 Tanzania, United Republic of 14.41 million compare
  6. 6 Ethiopia 12.00 million compare

See the full ranking of 59 places →

More science & technology data for Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa

All data for Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is number of radio sets in Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa?
Number of radio sets in Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa was 4.40 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 Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 139.03 million in 2001.
What is the lowest number of radio sets recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 4.40 million in 2008.
How does Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa rank for number of radio sets?
Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa ranks 3rd out of 6 groups with data for 2008.
Is number of radio sets rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 96.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South 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 Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates. Retrieved 06 September 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/number-of-radio-sets/sub-saharan-africa-excluding-south-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.