Italy Mobile Subscriptions
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 people IT.CEL.SETS.P2
Italy's mobile subscriptions was 131.83 in 2025, ranked 61st globally. This represents a 0.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Italy's mobile subscriptions stood at 131.83 in 2025, a decline of +0.05 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 131.83 by 2025. Italy ranked 61st globally.
Italy’s mobile‑subscription density has risen from zero in 1960 to 131.83 per 100 inhabitants in 2025, placing the country 61st globally. The trajectory accelerated after the all‑time trough of 0.00 in 1984, reaching a peak of 160.56 in 2012 before a modest decline to the current level. This pattern mirrors the diffusion curves of many advanced economies, yet Italy lags slightly behind peers such as Spain (132.19) and Paraguay (132.02) in 2025. The prolonged expansion reflects the liberalisation of the telecom market in the 1990s, the rollout of 3G and 4G networks, and the rapid uptake of smartphones, while the post‑peak dip aligns with market saturation and the emergence of multi‑SIM usage that depresses subscription counts per capita. Continued rollout of 5G infrastructure, combined with regulatory incentives for broadband convergence, could stabilise or modestly raise the subscription rate, but further growth will depend on demographic shifts and the pace of digital service adoption.
Data & projection
| Year | Mobile Subscriptions | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 131.98 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 131.83 | - | - |
| 2025 | 131.83 | −0.05 | #61 |
| 2023 | 131.87 | +0.20 | #49 |
| 2022 | 131.67 | +0.89 | #55 |
| 2021 | 130.78 | +1.29 | #53 |
| 2020 | 129.49 | −2.69 | #49 |
| 2019 | 132.18 | −6.08 | #47 |
| 2018 | 138.27 | −0.62 | #25 |
| 2017 | 138.88 | −3.25 | #30 |
| 2016 | 142.13 | −2.64 | #27 |
| 2015 | 144.76 | −3.45 | #30 |
| 2014 | 148.22 | −11.48 | #25 |
| 2013 | 159.70 | −0.86 | #14 |
| 2012 | 160.56 | +1.47 | #14 |
| 2011 | 159.09 | +3.41 | #13 |
| 2010 | 155.68 | +5.39 | #15 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Italy matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1986. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw mobile subscriptions improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Italy's mobile subscriptions was 131.83 in 2025. Ranked 61st globally. This represents a 0.0% decrease from the previous year.
Italy's mobile subscriptions peaked at 160.56 in 2012.
The lowest mobile subscriptions in Italy was 0.00 in 1960.
Italy ranks 61st globally in mobile subscriptions as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is IT.CEL.SETS.P2. Data sourced from World Bank.
Italy's mobile subscriptions is projected to reach 131.83 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The mobile subscriptions of Italy in 2025 was 131.83. This ranks 61st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_italy_mobile-subscriptions,
title = {Italy Mobile Subscriptions},
url = {https://historysaid.com/italy/mobile-subscriptions/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}