Adoption of communication technologies in Germany
Germany: Adoption of communication technologies was 38.40 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
38.40 million
Change on year
down 0.8%
World rank
5th
of 212 countries
All-time high
54.79 million
in 2005
All-time low
3.22 million
in 1960
Years of data
65
1960–2024
Adoption of communication technologies in Germany, 1960–2024
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2024, adoption of communication technologies in Germany stood at 38.40 million.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.8% on the previous year and down 18.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adoption of communication technologies in Germany peaked at 54.79 million in 2005 and was at its lowest, 3.22 million, in 1960.
That places Germany 5th out of 212 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Adoption of communication technologies in Germany, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 3.22 million | — |
| 1961 | 3.22 million | +0.0% |
| 1962 | 3.22 million | +0.0% |
| 1963 | 3.22 million | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 3.22 million | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 4.84 million | +50.4% |
| 1966 | 4.84 million | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 4.84 million | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 4.84 million | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 4.84 million | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 8.59 million | +77.2% |
| 1971 | 8.59 million | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 8.59 million | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 8.59 million | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 8.59 million | +0.0% |
| 1975 | 12.83 million | +49.5% |
| 1976 | 14.21 million | +10.7% |
| 1977 | 15.75 million | +10.8% |
| 1978 | 17.30 million | +9.9% |
| 1979 | 18.92 million | +9.3% |
| 1980 | 20.43 million | +8.0% |
| 1981 | 21.65 million | +5.9% |
| 1982 | 22.57 million | +4.3% |
| 1983 | 23.39 million | +3.6% |
| 1984 | 24.42 million | +4.4% |
| 1985 | 25.39 million | +4.0% |
| 1986 | 26.19 million | +3.1% |
| 1987 | 27.01 million | +3.1% |
| 1988 | 27.82 million | +3.0% |
| 1989 | 28.85 million | +3.7% |
| 1990 | 31.89 million | +10.5% |
| 1991 | 33.56 million | +5.2% |
| 1992 | 35.42 million | +5.5% |
| 1993 | 37.00 million | +4.5% |
| 1994 | 38.80 million | +4.9% |
| 1995 | 42.00 million | +8.2% |
| 1996 | 44.10 million | +5.0% |
| 1997 | 45.20 million | +2.5% |
| 1998 | 46.53 million | +2.9% |
| 1999 | 48.21 million | +3.6% |
| 2000 | 50.22 million | +4.2% |
| 2001 | 52.33 million | +4.2% |
| 2002 | 53.67 million | +2.6% |
| 2003 | 54.23 million | +1.0% |
| 2004 | 54.53 million | +0.5% |
| 2005 | 54.79 million | +0.5% |
| 2006 | 54.40 million | -0.7% |
| 2007 | 53.10 million | -2.4% |
| 2008 | 50.30 million | -5.3% |
| 2009 | 53.70 million | +6.8% |
| 2010 | 52.90 million | -1.5% |
| 2011 | 51.40 million | -2.8% |
| 2012 | 50.10 million | -2.5% |
| 2013 | 48.70 million | -2.8% |
| 2014 | 47.02 million | -3.4% |
| 2015 | 45.35 million | -3.6% |
| 2016 | 45.30 million | -0.1% |
| 2017 | 44.40 million | -2.0% |
| 2018 | 42.50 million | -4.3% |
| 2019 | 38.27 million | -10.0% |
| 2020 | 38.38 million | +0.3% |
| 2021 | 38.49 million | +0.3% |
| 2022 | 38.58 million | +0.2% |
| 2023 | 38.70 million | +0.3% |
| 2024 | 38.40 million | -0.8% |
Germany compared with similar countries
- Germany's 38.40 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 445,236, 86.2× the median. (82 countries reporting)
- Germany's 38.40 million is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 734,202, 52.3× the median. (55 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Adoption of communication technologies in Germany changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | +77.2% | 4.84 million | 8.59 million |
| 1965 | +50.4% | 3.22 million | 4.84 million |
| 1975 | +49.5% | 8.59 million | 12.83 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 4.03 million | 3.22 million | 4.84 million | 10 |
| 1970s | 12.20 million | 8.59 million | 18.92 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 24.77 million | 20.43 million | 28.85 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 40.27 million | 31.89 million | 48.21 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 53.13 million | 50.22 million | 54.79 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 46.59 million | 38.27 million | 52.90 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 38.51 million | 38.38 million | 38.70 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near Germany
More reference data data for Germany
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 4.6 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.7 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 16.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.94 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 16.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 15.41 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 9.96 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 8.87 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 80.38 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 10.56 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adoption of communication technologies in Germany?
- Adoption of communication technologies in Germany was 38.40 million in 2024, according to International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest adoption of communication technologies recorded in Germany?
- The highest recorded value was 54.79 million in 2005.
- What is the lowest adoption of communication technologies recorded in Germany?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.22 million in 1960.
- How does Germany rank for adoption of communication technologies?
- Germany ranks 5th out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is adoption of communication technologies rising or falling in Germany?
- Over the last ten years it is down 18.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Germany data come from?
- The figures come from International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Adoption of communication technologies. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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