Adoption of communication technologies in South Africa
South Africa: Adoption of communication technologies was 1.01 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
1.01 million
Change on year
down 25.1%
World rank
67th
of 212 countries
All-time high
5.49 million
in 1999
All-time low
650,013
in 1960
Years of data
65
1960–2024
Adoption of communication technologies in South Africa, 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 South Africa stood at 1.01 million.
The figure is down 25.1% on the previous year and down 72.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adoption of communication technologies in South Africa peaked at 5.49 million in 1999 and was at its lowest, 650,013, in 1960.
South Africa ranks 67th of 212 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Adoption of communication technologies in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 650,013 | — |
| 1961 | 650,013 | +0.0% |
| 1962 | 650,013 | +0.0% |
| 1963 | 650,013 | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 650,013 | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 755,000 | +16.2% |
| 1966 | 755,000 | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 755,000 | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 755,000 | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 755,000 | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 916,000 | +21.3% |
| 1971 | 916,000 | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 916,000 | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 916,000 | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 916,000 | +0.0% |
| 1975 | 1.16 million | +26.2% |
| 1976 | 1.23 million | +6.3% |
| 1977 | 1.31 million | +6.6% |
| 1978 | 1.40 million | +6.7% |
| 1979 | 1.51 million | +7.9% |
| 1980 | 1.63 million | +8.2% |
| 1981 | 1.79 million | +9.6% |
| 1982 | 1.94 million | +8.3% |
| 1983 | 2.07 million | +7.0% |
| 1984 | 2.15 million | +3.9% |
| 1985 | 2.30 million | +6.7% |
| 1986 | 2.53 million | +10.2% |
| 1987 | 2.67 million | +5.4% |
| 1988 | 2.87 million | +7.4% |
| 1989 | 3.08 million | +7.5% |
| 1990 | 3.32 million | +7.6% |
| 1991 | 3.43 million | +3.6% |
| 1992 | 3.46 million | +0.7% |
| 1993 | 3.59 million | +3.9% |
| 1994 | 3.78 million | +5.1% |
| 1995 | 4.00 million | +6.0% |
| 1996 | 4.26 million | +6.4% |
| 1997 | 4.65 million | +9.1% |
| 1998 | 5.08 million | +9.3% |
| 1999 | 5.49 million | +8.2% |
| 2000 | 4.96 million | -9.7% |
| 2001 | 4.92 million | -0.8% |
| 2002 | 4.92 million | -0.2% |
| 2003 | 4.91 million | -0.1% |
| 2004 | 4.90 million | -0.1% |
| 2005 | 4.90 million | -0.1% |
| 2006 | 4.89 million | -0.1% |
| 2007 | 4.88 million | -0.1% |
| 2008 | 4.88 million | -0.1% |
| 2009 | 4.87 million | -0.1% |
| 2010 | 4.86 million | -0.1% |
| 2011 | 4.85 million | -0.1% |
| 2012 | 4.85 million | -0.1% |
| 2013 | 3.88 million | -20.0% |
| 2014 | 3.65 million | -5.9% |
| 2015 | 4.13 million | +13.2% |
| 2016 | 4.52 million | +9.5% |
| 2017 | 4.81 million | +6.4% |
| 2018 | 3.35 million | -30.4% |
| 2019 | 2.02 million | -39.5% |
| 2020 | 2.10 million | +3.7% |
| 2021 | 1.47 million | -29.9% |
| 2022 | 1.31 million | -11.0% |
| 2023 | 1.35 million | +3.3% |
| 2024 | 1.01 million | -25.1% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 1.01 million is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 734,874, 1.4× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 1.01 million is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 56,011, 18.1× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 702,506 | 650,013 | 755,000 | 10 |
| 1970s | 1.12 million | 916,000 | 1.51 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 2.30 million | 1.63 million | 3.08 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 4.11 million | 3.32 million | 5.49 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 4.90 million | 4.87 million | 4.96 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.09 million | 2.02 million | 4.86 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.45 million | 1.01 million | 2.10 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More reference data data for South Africa
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.5111 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 8.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.7468 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 41.1 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 63.65 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 4.07 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adoption of communication technologies in South Africa?
- Adoption of communication technologies in South Africa was 1.01 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 South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 5.49 million in 1999.
- What is the lowest adoption of communication technologies recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 650,013 in 1960.
- How does South Africa rank for adoption of communication technologies?
- South Africa ranks 67th out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is adoption of communication technologies rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 72.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa 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.
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