Kuwait Mobile Subscriptions
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 people IT.CEL.SETS.P2
Kuwait's mobile subscriptions was 170.69 in 2025, ranked 20th globally. This represents a 1.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Kuwait's mobile subscriptions stood at 170.69 in 2025, a rise of +3.00 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 170.69 by 2025. Kuwait ranked 20th globally.
Kuwait’s mobile‑subscription density rose from zero in 1960 to 170.69 per 100 inhabitants in 2025, placing the country twentieth in the world. The rapid expansion accelerated after the mid‑1980s, when the market recorded an all‑time trough of 0.00, and peaked at 207.32 in 2014, reflecting widespread adoption of smartphones and liberalisation of the telecommunications sector. Over the 53‑year coverage period, the growth rate outpaced many regional peers; Saudi Arabia reported 167.45 and Qatar 171.60 in the same year, while South Africa’s 171.24 shows comparable saturation in a different economic context. The post‑peak decline to the current level suggests modest market saturation and the impact of pricing reforms and the emergence of multi‑SIM usage. Continued rollout of 5G infrastructure and potential regulatory incentives for device upgrades could sustain modest increases, but without significant policy shifts the subscription density is likely to stabilise near the present figure.
Data & projection
| Year | Mobile Subscriptions | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 172.68 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 170.69 | - | - |
| 2025 | 170.69 | +3.00 | #20 |
| 2023 | 167.68 | −0.67 | #14 |
| 2022 | 168.35 | +9.70 | #14 |
| 2021 | 158.65 | +4.78 | #13 |
| 2020 | 153.87 | −11.08 | #13 |
| 2019 | 164.94 | +0.72 | #9 |
| 2018 | 164.22 | −7.61 | #8 |
| 2017 | 171.83 | −19.47 | #7 |
| 2016 | 191.29 | −8.60 | #6 |
| 2015 | 199.89 | −7.43 | #4 |
| 2014 | 207.32 | +24.59 | #3 |
| 2013 | 182.74 | +29.91 | #5 |
| 2012 | 152.83 | −4.67 | #19 |
| 2011 | 157.50 | +22.31 | #16 |
| 2010 | 135.19 | +41.52 | #27 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Kuwait matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw mobile subscriptions improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Kuwait's mobile subscriptions was 170.69 in 2025. Ranked 20th globally. This represents a 1.8% increase from the previous year.
Kuwait's mobile subscriptions peaked at 207.32 in 2014.
The lowest mobile subscriptions in Kuwait was 0.00 in 1960.
Kuwait ranks 20th globally in mobile subscriptions as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is IT.CEL.SETS.P2. Data sourced from World Bank.
Kuwait's mobile subscriptions is projected to reach 170.69 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The mobile subscriptions of Kuwait in 2025 was 170.69. This ranks 20th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_kuwait_mobile-subscriptions,
title = {Kuwait Mobile Subscriptions},
url = {https://historysaid.com/kuwait/mobile-subscriptions/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}