Number of radio sets in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa: Number of radio sets was 4.40 million in 2008. ◆ Volatile
Number of radio sets in Sub-Saharan Africa, 1970–2008
Source: International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates.
Analysis
Sub-Saharan Africa recorded 4.40 million for number of radio sets in 2008. That is the lowest value across all 35 years on record.
The figure is down 17.4% on the previous year and down 96.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of radio sets in Sub-Saharan Africa peaked at 153.93 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, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 18.08 million | — |
| 1975 | 27.37 million | +51.4% |
| 1976 | 23.10 million | -15.6% |
| 1977 | 23.67 million | +2.5% |
| 1978 | 26.63 million | +12.5% |
| 1979 | 29.12 million | +9.3% |
| 1980 | 41.30 million | +41.9% |
| 1981 | 37.71 million | -8.7% |
| 1982 | 40.59 million | +7.7% |
| 1983 | 44.60 million | +9.9% |
| 1984 | 49.17 million | +10.3% |
| 1985 | 65.16 million | +32.5% |
| 1986 | 59.29 million | -9.0% |
| 1987 | 59.18 million | -0.2% |
| 1988 | 61.62 million | +4.1% |
| 1989 | 64.35 million | +4.4% |
| 1990 | 83.22 million | +29.3% |
| 1991 | 87.92 million | +5.6% |
| 1992 | 92.28 million | +5.0% |
| 1993 | 98.62 million | +6.9% |
| 1994 | 104.78 million | +6.2% |
| 1995 | 110.64 million | +5.6% |
| 1996 | 116.99 million | +5.7% |
| 1997 | 124.06 million | +6.0% |
| 1998 | 133.84 million | +7.9% |
| 1999 | 138.54 million | +3.5% |
| 2000 | 144.61 million | +4.4% |
| 2001 | 153.93 million | +6.4% |
| 2002 | 101.62 million | -34.0% |
| 2003 | 9.19 million | -91.0% |
| 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
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 24.66 million | 18.08 million | 29.12 million | 6 |
| 1980s | 52.30 million | 37.71 million | 65.16 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 109.09 million | 83.22 million | 138.54 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 52.45 million | 4.40 million | 153.93 million | 9 |
Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa
More science & technology data for Sub-Saharan Africa
- Scientific and technical journal articles 48,022 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0 units per person (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per square kilometre 0.002 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Digital connectivity composite index -1.24 standard deviations from the yearly mean (2025)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, annual growth rate -0.2159 % change on previous year (2023)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 8,160 (2020)
- Patent applications, residents 1,834 (2020)
- Proportion of individuals using the Internet 35.7% (2025)
- Proportion of population covered by at least a 2G mobile network 94.1% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of radio sets in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Number of radio sets in Sub-Saharan 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?
- The highest recorded value was 153.93 million in 2001.
- What is the lowest number of radio sets recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.40 million in 2008.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa rank for number of radio sets?
- Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 3rd out of 6 groups with data for 2008.
- Is number of radio sets rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 96.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sub-Saharan 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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About this data
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.