Namibia Mobile Subscriptions
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 people IT.CEL.SETS.P2
Namibia's mobile subscriptions was 83.60 in 2025, ranked 164th globally. This represents a 4.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Namibia's mobile subscriptions stood at 83.60 in 2025, a decline of +4.08 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 83.60 by 2025. Namibia ranked 164th globally.
Namibia’s mobile‑subscription density reached 83.60 per 100 inhabitants in 2025, placing the country 164th in the world and closely aligning with peers such as Uganda (83.61) and Vanuatu (83.63). After a prolonged expansion from zero subscriptions in 1960, penetration accelerated in the early 2000s, culminating in an all‑time peak of 121.11 in 2013, before a modest decline to the current level. The 1994 trough of 0.00 reflects the pre‑liberalisation era when mobile networks were virtually nonexistent, while the subsequent surge mirrors regional trends in sub‑Saharan Africa driven by lower handset costs, network rollout by multiple operators, and increasing data demand. Over the 53‑year coverage span, Namibia’s growth trajectory has slowed, suggesting market saturation and the need for policy incentives to expand 5G coverage or improve affordability. Continued investment in infrastructure and competitive pricing could reignite growth and push the subscription rate beyond the 2025 figure.
Data & projection
| Year | Mobile Subscriptions | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 79.26 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 83.60 | - | - |
| 2025 | 83.60 | −4.08 | #164 |
| 2023 | 87.68 | −12.88 | #135 |
| 2022 | 100.56 | −3.17 | #139 |
| 2021 | 103.73 | −2.48 | #126 |
| 2020 | 106.21 | −0.33 | #110 |
| 2019 | 106.53 | −0.53 | #114 |
| 2018 | 107.06 | +0.14 | #108 |
| 2017 | 106.92 | −2.13 | #110 |
| 2016 | 109.05 | +1.66 | #105 |
| 2015 | 107.39 | −8.13 | #109 |
| 2014 | 115.52 | −5.59 | #81 |
| 2013 | 121.11 | +23.29 | #68 |
| 2012 | 97.82 | −4.42 | #115 |
| 2011 | 102.24 | +9.82 | #96 |
| 2010 | 92.43 | +13.89 | #104 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Namibia matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2009. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw mobile subscriptions improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Namibia's mobile subscriptions was 83.60 in 2025. Ranked 164th globally. This represents a 4.7% decrease from the previous year.
Namibia's mobile subscriptions peaked at 121.11 in 2013.
The lowest mobile subscriptions in Namibia was 0.00 in 1960.
Namibia ranks 164th globally in mobile subscriptions as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is IT.CEL.SETS.P2. Data sourced from World Bank.
Namibia's mobile subscriptions is projected to reach 83.60 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The mobile subscriptions of Namibia in 2025 was 83.60. This ranks 164th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_namibia_mobile-subscriptions,
title = {Namibia Mobile Subscriptions},
url = {https://historysaid.com/namibia/mobile-subscriptions/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}