Landline phone subscriptions in South Africa
South Africa: Landline phone subscriptions was 1.01 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Landline phone subscriptions in South Africa, 1960–2024
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 1.01 million for landline phone subscriptions in 2024.
The figure is down 25.1% on the previous year and down 72.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, landline phone subscriptions in South Africa peaked at 5.49 million in 1999 and was at its lowest, 650,013, in 1960.
That places South Africa 67th out of 212 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
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
- 64 Dominican Republic 1.15 million compare
- 65 Croatia 1.10 million compare
- 68 Lebanon 924,461 compare
- 69 El Salvador 885,101 compare
- 70 Sweden 796,716 compare
More reference data data for South Africa
- Spring temperature anomalies 0.191 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 1.36 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.6318 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 1.18 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.2153 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 209.92 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is landline phone subscriptions in South Africa?
- Landline phone subscriptions 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 landline phone subscriptions recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 5.49 million in 1999.
- What is the lowest landline phone subscriptions recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 650,013 in 1960.
- How does South Africa rank for landline phone subscriptions?
- South Africa ranks 67th out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is landline phone subscriptions 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 Landline phone subscriptions. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 65 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).