Mobile internet subscription penetration of population in Pakistan, 2013-2022

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

In Pakistan, the world’s sixth largest country by its population of approximately 200 million people, only one in four people subscribes to mobile internet in 2017, according to GlobalData analysis.

There are several reasons for this low penetration. 3G and 4G technologies were launched relatively late, in 2014 and 2015, respectively. With a low level of fixed internet penetration, this means that Pakistan’s mobile users had to wait until 2014 for 3G connectivity to take them online.

Furthermore, there continues to be an affordability barrier in smartphones, which are necessary for users to access mobile internet. Smartphone prices have been falling, coming close to $100. However, this can still be a significant portion of many people’s wages in Pakistan, where 30% of the population lives below the poverty line, according to the United Nations.

There is also a big gender gap in smartphone usage. In 2016, the International Telecommunications Union found that men are twice as likely as women to own a mobile phone in Pakistan. This means that not as women are accessing mobile internet as should be.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

There is also a lack of content in local Pakistani languages, which limits the demand for mobile internet.

Despite these barriers, all four mobile operators in Pakistan have launched 3G, and three out of four have also launched 4G. There has already been an eightfold increase in mobile internet subscribers since 2013. GlobalData expects Pakistan’s mobile internet penetration to reach 78% of the population by 2022.