Adoption of communication technologies in United States
United States: Adoption of communication technologies was 81.55 million in 2024. ▲ Rising
Latest (2024)
81.55 million
Change on year
down 3.9%
World rank
2nd
of 212 countries
All-time high
192.51 million
in 2000
All-time low
49.27 million
in 1960
Years of data
65
1960–2024
Adoption of communication technologies in United States, 1960–2024
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
United States recorded 81.55 million for adoption of communication technologies in 2024.
That represents a change of down 3.9% on the previous year and down 36.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adoption of communication technologies in United States peaked at 192.51 million in 2000 and was at its lowest, 49.27 million, in 1960.
That places United States 2nd out of 212 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 65 years of available data.
Adoption of communication technologies in United States, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 49.27 million | — |
| 1961 | 49.27 million | +0.0% |
| 1962 | 49.27 million | +0.0% |
| 1963 | 49.27 million | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 49.27 million | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 58.29 million | +18.3% |
| 1966 | 58.29 million | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 58.29 million | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 58.29 million | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 58.29 million | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 69.04 million | +18.4% |
| 1971 | 69.04 million | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 69.04 million | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 69.04 million | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 69.04 million | +0.0% |
| 1975 | 80.52 million | +16.6% |
| 1976 | 82.80 million | +2.8% |
| 1977 | 85.43 million | +3.2% |
| 1978 | 88.43 million | +3.5% |
| 1979 | 91.27 million | +3.2% |
| 1980 | 94.28 million | +3.3% |
| 1981 | 105.56 million | +12.0% |
| 1982 | 107.52 million | +1.9% |
| 1983 | 110.61 million | +2.9% |
| 1984 | 112.55 million | +1.8% |
| 1985 | 115.99 million | +3.1% |
| 1986 | 118.29 million | +2.0% |
| 1987 | 122.79 million | +3.8% |
| 1988 | 127.09 million | +3.5% |
| 1989 | 131.50 million | +3.5% |
| 1990 | 136.11 million | +3.5% |
| 1991 | 139.41 million | +2.4% |
| 1992 | 143.34 million | +2.8% |
| 1993 | 148.11 million | +3.3% |
| 1994 | 153.45 million | +3.6% |
| 1995 | 159.66 million | +4.0% |
| 1996 | 166.45 million | +4.3% |
| 1997 | 173.87 million | +4.5% |
| 1998 | 179.85 million | +3.4% |
| 1999 | 189.50 million | +5.4% |
| 2000 | 192.51 million | +1.6% |
| 2001 | 191.57 million | -0.5% |
| 2002 | 189.25 million | -1.2% |
| 2003 | 182.93 million | -3.3% |
| 2004 | 177.69 million | -2.9% |
| 2005 | 175.16 million | -1.4% |
| 2006 | 167.46 million | -4.4% |
| 2007 | 158.42 million | -5.4% |
| 2008 | 162.76 million | +2.7% |
| 2009 | 152.87 million | -6.1% |
| 2010 | 149.65 million | -2.1% |
| 2011 | 143.32 million | -4.2% |
| 2012 | 138.59 million | -3.3% |
| 2013 | 133.23 million | -3.9% |
| 2014 | 128.50 million | -3.6% |
| 2015 | 124.85 million | -2.8% |
| 2016 | 121.34 million | -2.8% |
| 2017 | 116.30 million | -4.2% |
| 2018 | 110.33 million | -5.1% |
| 2019 | 106.43 million | -3.5% |
| 2020 | 101.80 million | -4.4% |
| 2021 | 97.22 million | -4.5% |
| 2022 | 90.95 million | -6.4% |
| 2023 | 84.83 million | -6.7% |
| 2024 | 81.55 million | -3.9% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 81.55 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 445,236, 183.2× the median. (82 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 53.78 million | 49.27 million | 58.29 million | 10 |
| 1970s | 77.36 million | 69.04 million | 91.27 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 114.62 million | 94.28 million | 131.50 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 158.97 million | 136.11 million | 189.50 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 175.06 million | 152.87 million | 192.51 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 127.25 million | 106.43 million | 149.65 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 91.27 million | 81.55 million | 101.80 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near United States
More reference data data for United States
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 19.34 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 24.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 20.7 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 64.85 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 52.14 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 133.45 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 589.96 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 112.69 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adoption of communication technologies in United States?
- Adoption of communication technologies in United States was 81.55 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 United States?
- The highest recorded value was 192.51 million in 2000.
- What is the lowest adoption of communication technologies recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 49.27 million in 1960.
- How does United States rank for adoption of communication technologies?
- United States ranks 2nd out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is adoption of communication technologies rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is down 36.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this United States 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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