Proportion of population covered by at least a 4G mobile network in South Africa

South Africa: Proportion of population covered by at least a 4G mobile network was 99.4% in 2024. ▲ Rising

Latest (2024)
99.4%
Change on year
up 0.5%
World rank
52nd
of 196 countries
All-time high
99.4%
in 2024
All-time low
5.0%
in 2012
Years of data
13
2012–2024

Proportion of population covered by at least a 4G mobile network in South Africa, 2012–2024

0204060801002012201820242012: 52013: 14.22014: 342015: 542016: 732017: 77.62018: 90.32019: 94.42020: 96.52021: 97.92022: 98.52023: 992024: 99.4

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.

Analysis

In 2024, proportion of population covered by at least a 4g mobile network in South Africa stood at 99.4%. That is the highest value across all 13 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.5% on the previous year and up 192.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, proportion of population covered by at least a 4g mobile network in South Africa peaked at 99.4% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 5.0%, in 2012.

South Africa ranks 52nd of 196 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 13 years of available data.

Proportion of population covered by at least a 4G mobile network in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Proportion of population covered by at least a 4G mobile network (%) in South Africa, 2012 to 2024.
Year Value Change
2012 5.0%
2013 14.2% +184.6%
2014 34.0% +138.9%
2015 54.0% +58.8%
2016 73.0% +35.2%
2017 77.6% +6.3%
2018 90.3% +16.4%
2019 94.4% +4.5%
2020 96.5% +2.2%
2021 97.9% +1.5%
2022 98.5% +0.5%
2023 99.0% +0.5%
2024 99.4% +0.5%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2010s 55.3% 5.0% 94.4% 8
2020s 98.2% 96.5% 99.4% 5

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 49 Bangladesh 99.6% compare
  2. 50 Albania 99.6% compare
  3. 51 Canada 99.5% compare
  4. 53 Kyrgyzstan 99.4% compare
  5. 54 Ghana 99.3% compare
  6. 55 Hungary 99.2% compare
  7. 55 Iceland 99.2% compare
  8. 55 Lebanon 99.2% compare

See the full ranking of 251 places →

More science & technology data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is proportion of population covered by at least a 4g mobile network in South Africa?
Proportion of population covered by at least a 4g mobile network in South Africa was 99.4% in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest proportion of population covered by at least a 4g mobile network recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 99.4% in 2024.
What is the lowest proportion of population covered by at least a 4g mobile network recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 5.0% in 2012.
How does South Africa rank for proportion of population covered by at least a 4g mobile network?
South Africa ranks 52nd out of 196 countries with data for 2024.
Is proportion of population covered by at least a 4g mobile network rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 192.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Proportion of population covered by at least a 4G mobile network (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Proportion of population covered by at least a 4G mobile network in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 02 September 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/proportion-of-population-covered-by-at-least-a-4g-mobile-network-percent/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Proportion of population covered by at least a 4G mobile network (%)
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
251 places, 2,638 data points, 2012–2025
Last refreshed