Rising to a series high
UAE Mobile Cellular Subscriptions moved from 17.94 Million in 2015 to 22.41 Million in 2024 (+24.9%), an average of +2.5% a year. The series high was 22.41 Million in 2024 and the low 17.94 Million in 2015.
– 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.
UAE Mobile Cellular Subscriptions was 22.41 Million in 2024, up 5.6% on 2023. The mobile cellular subscription landscape in the United Arab Emirates from 2015 to 2024 stands as a monumental pillar of global digital excellence and a breathtaking example of elite technological integration.
UAE Mobile Cellular Subscriptions moved from 17.94 Million in 2015 to 22.41 Million in 2024 (+24.9%), an average of +2.5% a year. The series high was 22.41 Million in 2024 and the low 17.94 Million in 2015.
The gap between the series high (2024) and low (2015) is 4.47 Million. The sharpest single-year move was +11% in 2016.
Among the 33 countries in this dataset, UAE ranks 26 for 2024, behind China (1,870 Million) and India (1,150 Million). It accounts for 0.2% of the global total in 2024.
Full series
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 | 22.41 | +5.6% |
| 2023 | 21.22 | +5.9% |
| 2022 | 20.04 | +9.9% |
| 2021 | 18.24 | −0.7% |
| 2020 | 18.37 | −6.3% |
| 2019 | 19.60 | −2.4% |
| 2018 | 20.08 | +1.3% |
| 2017 | 19.83 | −0.4% |
| 2016 | 19.91 | +11% |
| 2015 Trough | 17.94 | — |
Regional context
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions by country, 2024, Million. UAE is highlighted.
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).
Over this transformative decade, the nation witnessed its subscription base surge from a massive 17.94 million to a staggering 22.41 million, reflecting an unwavering commitment to total national connectivity despite reaching some of the highest penetration levels on Earth. This relentless surge highlights a society that has completely woven mobile technology into the very heart of its economic and social identity. The UAE telecommunications sector is an absolute marvel of engineering, boasting a hyper-advanced infrastructure that spearheaded the aggressive transition to the revolutionary frontiers of 5G technology. With penetration rates that consistently defy logic and population figures, the data reveals an elite nation where multi-device ownership and persistent, high-capacity enterprise connectivity are the absolute norm. This monumental growth was fueled by an insatiable demand for sophisticated data services, luxury digital experiences, and an advanced Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem that powers the smartest cities in the world. Major telecom titans have poured unfathomable billions into spectrum acquisition and network hardening to ensure the UAE remains the undisputed vanguard of the digital age. This dataset serves as a powerful, ironclad testament to a market that refuses to plateau, continuously reinventing itself through radical innovation and a visionary commitment to connectivity. It is a definitive portrait of a digital superpower maintaining a relentless grip on the future of communications, ensuring that every corner of the nation is bathed in lightning-fast, high-speed signals. The UAE is not merely observing the digital future—it is actively engineering it, establishing a resilient and high-performing telecom landscape that serves as an elite blueprint for the entire global community.
Using this data in a report, paper or presentation? Copy a formatted citation.
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.
UAE Mobile Cellular Subscriptions was 22.41 Million in 2024, up 5.6% on 2023.
UAE Mobile Cellular Subscriptions moved from 17.94 Million in 2015 to 22.41 Million in 2024 (+24.9%), an average of +2.5% a year. The series high was 22.41 Million in 2024 and the low 17.94 Million in 2015.
The highest value was 22.41 Million in 2024 and the lowest was 17.94 Million in 2015.
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.
Need more data?
Need a longer historical series, a custom country set, additional dimensions, or a tailored dataset? Send us your requirement.