Ireland vs South Africa: Adoption of communication technologies

Ireland
1.08 million
in 2024
South Africa
1.01 million
in 2024
Ireland rank
66th
South Africa rank
67th

Adoption of communication technologies over time

  • Ireland
  • South Africa
02.0M4.0M6.0M196019922024

How they compare

Ireland currently reports 1.08 million against 1.01 million in South Africa, a difference of 65,000.

That makes Ireland's figure about 1.1 times South Africa's.

The two have swapped places 1 time across 65 shared years of data; in 1960 it was South Africa ahead.

Ireland ranks 66th and South Africa ranks 67th of 212 countries.

South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 7 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Ireland South Africa Difference Ahead
1960s 137,812 702,506 564,694 South Africa
1970s 309,100 1.12 million 809,000 South Africa
1980s 689,001 2.30 million 1.61 million South Africa
1990s 1.32 million 4.11 million 2.79 million South Africa
2000s 2.05 million 4.90 million 2.85 million South Africa
2010s 1.95 million 4.09 million 2.14 million South Africa
2020s 1.29 million 1.45 million 159,356 South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher adoption of communication technologies, Ireland or South Africa?
Ireland, at 1.08 million against 1.01 million in South Africa as of 2024.
What is the difference in adoption of communication technologies between Ireland and South Africa?
65,000, with Ireland ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Ireland and South Africa?
65 years are reported by both, from 1960 to 2024.
How do Ireland and South Africa rank globally for adoption of communication technologies?
Ireland ranks 66th and South Africa ranks 67th of 212 countries.
Where does this data come from?
International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as Adoption of communication technologies. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

Individual pages

About this data

Indicator
Adoption of communication technologies
Source
International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
212 places, 11,803 data points, 1960–2024
Last refreshed