Rising to a series high
East Asia & Pacific Mobile Cellular Subscriptions moved from 2,403 Million in 2015 to 3,185 Million in 2024 (+32.5%), an average of +3.2% a year. The series high was 3,185 Million in 2024 and the low 2,403 Million in 2015.
What East Asia & Pacific Mobile Cellular Subscriptions shows
East Asia & Pacific Mobile Cellular Subscriptions was 3,185 Million in 2024, up 1.6% on 2023. East Asia-Pacific’s mobile cellular subscriptions from 2015 to 2024, measured in millions, illustrate the most dynamic and high-volume telecommunications landscape in the world. The region is characterized by a unique blend of hyper-connected mature economies and rapidly digitizing emerging markets, driven by aggressive 5G rollouts and a mobile-first consumer culture.
A 24.5% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2024) and low (2015) is 781.8 Million. The sharpest single-year move was +6.7% in 2019.
China leads the region
Within East Asia & Pacific, China has the highest value in 2024 at 1,870 Million, 58.7% of the regional total.
Country ranking
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions by country, 2024
Million. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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| Rank↕ | Country↕ | Share of top | Million↕ | vs 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 1,870 | +2.5% | |
| 2 | Indonesia | 347.3 | −1.4% | |
| 3 | Philippines | 133.6 | −0.9% | |
| 4 | Thailand | 115.1 | −4.8% | |
| 5 | South Korea | 89.22 | +6.4% | |
| 6 | Malaysia | 49.66 | −1% | |
| 7 | Australia | 30.07 | +1% | |
| 8 | Singapore | 9.96 | −0.7% |
By region
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions by region
Million, 2024. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
East Asia & Pacific Mobile Cellular Subscriptions by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Million | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024Peak | 3,185 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | 3,135 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | 3,081 | +1.1% |
| 2021 | 3,048 | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 3,007 | −1.2% |
| 2019 | 3,043 | +6.7% |
| 2018 | 2,853 | +4.8% |
| 2017 | 2,723 | +6.3% |
| 2016 | 2,562 | +6.6% |
| 2015 Trough | 2,403 | — |
About this indicator
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions — – Mobile cellular subscriptions refer to subscriptions to a public mobile telephone service that provide access to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) using cellular technology. It includes both postpaid subscriptions and active prepaid SIM cards that have been used within a specified period (typically the last three months).
China remains the undisputed global leader in connectivity, with subscriptions expanding from 1,291.98 million in 2015 to 1,870.01 million in 2024. This growth reflects near-total population coverage and a massive shift toward integrated digital lifestyles. Japan and South Korea complement this with steady technological leadership; Japan’s subscriptions grew to 221.92 million (as of 2023), while South Korea exhibited consistent growth, reaching 89.22 million by 2024. In Southeast Asia, Indonesia and Thailand showed significant but volatile trends; Indonesia’s market recalibrated from a 2017 high of 435.19 million to 347.32 million in 2024 following strict SIM registration regulations. Similarly, the Philippines showed a unique peak of 167.32 million in 2019 before stabilizing at 133.57 million by 2024.
At the regional level, East Asia-Pacific’s total subscriptions surged from 2,403.20 million in 2015 to 3,185.00 million in 2024. Despite a minor regional dip in 2020 to 3,007.00 million due to economic shifts and pandemic-related account consolidations, the region maintained a strong upward trajectory, crossing the 3-billion mark permanently by 2021.
Key insights include the massive influence of the Chinese telecom sector, which accounts for more than half of the regional total, and the rapid expansion of the Remaining Countries, which surged to 540.06 million by 2024. The region benefits from world-class hardware manufacturing, competitive service pricing, and government-led digital transformation initiatives. Overall, East Asia-Pacific stands as the primary global hub for mobile connectivity, characterized by unparalleled scale, rapid 5G adoption, and sustained innovation in mobile services.
- Indicator
- Mobile Cellular Subscriptions
- Region
- East Asia & Pacific
- Unit
- Million
- Coverage
- 2015–2024, annual
- Category
- ICT & Media
- Last updated
- April 2026
- Source
- data.worldbank.org
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Frequently asked questions
What is East Asia & Pacific Mobile Cellular Subscriptions?
Definition – Mobile cellular subscriptions refer to subscriptions to a public mobile telephone service that provide access to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) using cellular technology. It includes both postpaid subscriptions and active prepaid SIM cards that have been used within a specified period (typically the last three months). Inclusions – The data includes all active mobile cellular subscriptions offering voice communication services, covering both prepaid and postpaid accounts. It encompasses subscriptions across analogue and digital cellular technologies (including 2G, 3G, and 4G systems) and is compiled from telecom operators and regulatory authorities, typically aggregated at the national level. Exclusions – The data excludes subscriptions used solely for mobile data services such as USB modems or data cards, as well as private trunked mobile radio, radio paging, telepoint systems, and telemetry services. It also does not capture inactive SIM cards or non-voice-based mobile connectivity services.
What was East Asia & Pacific Mobile Cellular Subscriptions in 2024?
East Asia & Pacific Mobile Cellular Subscriptions was 3,185 Million in 2024, up 1.6% on 2023.
How has East Asia & Pacific Mobile Cellular Subscriptions changed between 2015 and 2024?
East Asia & Pacific Mobile Cellular Subscriptions moved from 2,403 Million in 2015 to 3,185 Million in 2024 (+32.5%), an average of +3.2% a year. The series high was 3,185 Million in 2024 and the low 2,403 Million in 2015.
Which year had the highest and lowest East Asia & Pacific Mobile Cellular Subscriptions?
The highest value was 3,185 Million in 2024 and the lowest was 2,403 Million in 2015.
Where does the East Asia & Pacific Mobile Cellular Subscriptions data come from?
The series is sourced from data.worldbank.org (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.CEL.SETS). It covers 2015–2024 and is reported in Million.
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