Mobile Data Affordability Index | A global comparison

Mobile data allows you to connect to the internet from your device from anywhere, as long as you have a mobile internet connection, such as 4G.

While the majority of countries mainly use mobile data for lighter activities such as emails, social media, messaging or VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) apps (such as WhatsApp), this isn’t the case for all countries. In areas where there is a limited fixed-line connection infrastructure, mobile data is the go-to for internet connectivity. Essential for employers, education, and healthcare.

Our comprehensive study has highlighted that access to affordable mobile data is not a given for everyone globally.

We compared the average cost of a mobile phone monthly plan with 10GB+ data against average wages to determine the mobile data affordability rating for 179 countries worldwide.

Interactive map

Data as a % of salary

< 1.5%

< 3.3%

< 5.2%

< 10%

> 10%

How to use the map

Countries are colour-coded to highlight their mobile data affordability at a glance. Simply hover over a country to see a pop-up box that shows their mobile data affordability (mobile data costs as a percentage of monthly salary) and their worldwide ranking (out of the 179 countries included in the research).

Why some countries don’t have data

Countries without enough responses were excluded from the study. For more details, including the list of countries excluded, see methodology.

Related research

Broadband Genie also conducted the World Broadband Affordability Index, a study looking at the cost of broadband and the purchasing power of residents in each country.

Topline findings

Worldwide, people spend 4.09% of their salary on a mobile phone plan with 10GB+ of data.
The average spend on a mobile phone plan with 10GB+ of data is USD 24.20.
People typically spend more of their salary on mobile data, than on a high-speed internet connection (3.81%).
European and Asian countries take up the majority of places in the top 20. These continents have a greater purchasing power because of higher wages and reasonable tariff prices.
Europe has the most affordable mobile data in the world, spending 1.37% of an average salary on a data SIM plan. Followed by Asia, typically spending 3.21% of an average salary on a phone contract with mobile broadband included.
Lesotho (18th) and Honduras (19th) are the only countries in the top 20 outside of Asia and Europe.
G7 countries (developed economies): All of G7, United Kingdom (5th), Germany (13th), Italy (20th), United States (35th), Japan (41st), France (44th) and Canada (62nd) have mobile data more affordable than the global average.
BRICS nations (emerging markets): South Africa squeezes into the top half for mobile affordability (89th). Brazil (128th) is the only emerging market country outside the top half. Remaining BRICS nations; India finished 11th, Russia 26th and China 51st.

Countries with the most affordable mobile data

1. Singapore

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 0.35%
Phone plan cost: USD 17.13
Total tariffs measured: 454

2. Luxembourg

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 0.40%
Phone plan cost: USD 21.16
Total tariffs measured: 174

3. Israel

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 0.47%
Phone plan cost: USD 12.20
Total tariffs measured: 629

4. Iceland

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 0.51%
Phone plan cost: USD 23.52
Total tariffs measured: 173

5. United Kingdom

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 0.52%
Phone plan cost: USD 15.38
Total tariffs measured: 3,098

Taking a step back, Europe may be the continent with the most affordable internet, but Singapore is the country in the top spot. The price of mobile data is lower but not far away from the global average (USD 24.20). High average wages mean the purchasing power of consumers is the strongest in the world.

In second place is Luxembourg, where mobile contracts usually retail for below the global average and salaries are almost double the world average. The small nation has a competitive mobile market and a plethora of providers to pick from. Pay-as-you-go SIMs are also available with a similar amount of data as a monthly plan from various providers.

We’re proud to see our home nation, the United Kingdom in the top five. Customers have been using the ‘text-to-switch’ process since 2019, where customers can freely switch between networks and can keep their mobile number by requesting their PAC code with one text message. Locked handsets were banned in 2021, giving customers more freedom and opening out deals such as SIM only contracts with a second hand mobile phone.

Countries with the least affordable mobile data

1. Guinea

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 56.29%
Phone plan cost: USD 115.58
Total tariffs measured: 3

2. Zambia

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 30.29%
Phone plan cost: USD 87.12
Total tariffs measured: 17

3. Ivory Coast

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 23.20%
Phone plan cost: USD 41.25
Total tariffs measured: 25

4. Syria

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 22.11%
Phone plan cost: USD 9.91
Total tariffs measured: 30

5. Papua New Guinea

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 21.81%
Phone plan cost: USD 62.81
Total tariffs measured: 9

Three out of the five countries with the least affordable mobile phone plans are located in the Western Africa region. Africa has some of the lowest average wages, and Western Africa has an average data tariff cost of USD 29.79.

Syria is an outlier in the bottom five. It has some of the most reasonably priced mobile tariffs, cheaper than any country in the top five for affordability. However, because of conflict, unemployment has risen and reduced the purchasing power of locals.

Papua New Guinea rounds out the bottom five. Island nations found in areas such as Oceania or the Caribbean have some of the most expensive mobile plans.

World mobile data affordability | Country-by-country ranking

World ranking	Country	Region	Subregion	Mobile data cost (USD)	Average salary (USD)	Mobile data as a % of salary
1	Singapore	Asia	South-Eastern Asia	17.13	4,920.86	0.35
2	Luxembourg	Europe	Western Europe	21.16	5,275.54	0.40
3	Israel	Asia	Western Asia	12.20	2,583.24	0.47
4	Iceland	Europe	Northern Europe	23.52	4,614.54	0.51
5	United Kingdom	Europe	Northern Europe	15.38	2,948.08	0.52
6	Hong Kong	Asia	Eastern Asia	19.72	3,617.07	0.55
7	Denmark	Europe	Northern Europe	19.84	3,629.34	0.55
8	Liechtenstein	Europe	Western Europe	34.39	6,220.43	0.55
9	Monaco	Europe	Western Europe	47.62	7,801.08	0.61
10	Poland	Europe	Eastern Europe	8.71	1,369.60	0.64
11	India	Asia	Southern Asia	3.81	588.34	0.65
12	Ireland	Europe	Northern Europe	22.19	3,155.30	0.70
13	Germany	Europe	Western Europe	21.66	3,027.05	0.72
14	Netherlands	Europe	Western Europe	24.90	3,467.41	0.72
15	Slovenia	Europe	Southern Europe	10.74	1,474.91	0.73
16	Kuwait	Asia	Western Asia	21.45	2,883.42	0.74
17	San Marino	Europe	Southern Europe	21.64	2,844.89	0.76
18	Lesotho	Africa	Southern Africa	5.83	722.03	0.81
19	Honduras	North America	Central America	4.66	569.20	0.82
20	Italy	Europe	Southern Europe	14.29	1,711.22	0.84
21	Iran	Asia	Southern Asia	2.24	266.61	0.84
22	Austria	Europe	Western Europe	21.85	2,592.36	0.84
23	Australia	Oceania	Oceania	28.75	3,366.32	0.85
24	Belgium	Europe	Western Europe	22.46	2,612.96	0.86
25	Switzerland	Europe	Western Europe	59.82	6,659.12	0.90
26	Russia	Europe	Eastern Europe	5.38	572.70	0.94
27	Romania	Europe	Eastern Europe	7.83	823.23	0.95
28	Finland	Europe	Northern Europe	28.88	2,884.46	1.00
29	Sweden	Europe	Northern Europe	28.17	2,716.18	1.04
30	Spain	Europe	Southern Europe	20.38	1,921.12	1.06
31	Malaysia	Asia	South-Eastern Asia	8.76	810.72	1.08
32	Andorra	Europe	Southern Europe	28.20	2,599.65	1.08
33	Liberia	Africa	Western Africa	22.50	2,028.00	1.11
34	Lithuania	Europe	Northern Europe	14.59	1,306.28	1.12
35	United States	North America	Northern America	52.74	4,665.58	1.13
36	Indonesia	Asia	South-Eastern Asia	3.69	316.76	1.16
37	Cyprus	Asia	Western Asia	21.18	1,815.50	1.17
38	Qatar	Asia	Western Asia	47.47	4,051.04	1.17
39	Turkey	Asia	Western Asia	7.20	611.03	1.18
40	Fiji	Oceania	Oceania	13.42	1,137.13	1.18
41	Japan	Asia	Eastern Asia	26.73	2,256.03	1.18
42	Brunei	Asia	South-Eastern Asia	21.55	1,805.46	1.19
43	Uzbekistan	Asia	Central Asia	4.36	364.21	1.20
44	France	Europe	Western Europe	30.98	2,507.41	1.24
45	Bahrain	Asia	Western Asia	27.41	2,154.60	1.27
46	Norway	Europe	Northern Europe	43.83	3,410.19	1.29
47	Estonia	Europe	Northern Europe	20.73	1,610.84	1.29
48	Vietnam	Asia	South-Eastern Asia	5.92	447.63	1.32
49	New Zealand	Oceania	Oceania	38.82	2,921.81	1.33
50	Timor-Leste	Asia	South-Eastern Asia	30.00	2,220.00	1.35
51	China	Asia	Eastern Asia	13.39	969.95	1.38
52	Ukraine	Europe	Eastern Europe	5.72	401.93	1.42
53	Guatemala	North America	Central America	19.20	1,344.22	1.43
54	Somalia	Africa	Eastern Africa	5.00	340.83	1.47
55	Armenia	Asia	Western Asia	8.91	605.08	1.47
56	Sierra Leone	Africa	Western Africa	25.00	1,675.00	1.49
57	Uruguay	South America	South America	16.41	1,084.54	1.51
58	Moldova	Europe	Eastern Europe	7.96	521.13	1.53
59	Grenada	North America	Caribbean	18.50	1,173.68	1.58
60	Latvia	Europe	Northern Europe	18.29	1,134.15	1.61
61	Belarus	Europe	Eastern Europe	7.77	481.37	1.61
62	Canada	North America	Northern America	48.04	2,905.92	1.65
63	Kazakhstan	Asia	Central Asia	9.79	583.60	1.68
64	Taiwan	Asia	Eastern Asia	28.18	1,679.90	1.68
65	Burundi	Africa	Eastern Africa	10.00	595.01	1.68
66	Saudi Arabia	Asia	Western Asia	35.80	2,103.91	1.70
67	Malta	Europe	Southern Europe	27.16	1,593.88	1.70
68	Croatia	Europe	Southern Europe	21.22	1,191.67	1.78
69	United Arab Emirates	Asia	Western Asia	61.53	3,425.39	1.80
70	Chile	South America	South America	11.89	653.24	1.82
71	Portugal	Europe	Southern Europe	20.79	1,122.69	1.85
72	Czech Republic	Europe	Eastern Europe	28.76	1,544.09	1.86
73	Bulgaria	Europe	Eastern Europe	16.46	878.92	1.87
74	Namibia	Africa	Southern Africa	13.66	719.71	1.90
75	South Korea	Asia	Eastern Asia	47.44	2,417.94	1.96
76	Georgia	Asia	Western Asia	10.01	490.15	2.04
77	Mongolia	Asia	Eastern Asia	7.43	352.17	2.11
78	Cambodia	Asia	South-Eastern Asia	5.94	278.68	2.13
79	Oman	Asia	Western Asia	45.69	2,127.77	2.15
80	Palestine	Asia	Western Asia	14.31	649.02	2.20
81	Pakistan	Asia	Southern Asia	3.91	176.33	2.22
82	Senegal	Africa	Western Africa	9.07	404.20	2.24
83	Nepal	Asia	Southern Asia	4.92	213.88	2.30
84	Serbia	Europe	Southern Europe	15.76	685.37	2.30
85	Greece	Europe	Southern Europe	22.80	968.94	2.35
86	Djibouti	Africa	Eastern Africa	36.55	1,546.61	2.36
87	Bangladesh	Asia	Southern Asia	5.91	246.13	2.40
88	Ecuador	South America	South America	12.47	515.58	2.42
89	South Africa	Africa	Southern Africa	31.18	1,285.46	2.43
90	Kyrgyzstan	Asia	Central Asia	7.61	312.89	2.43
91	Jordan	Asia	Western Asia	15.36	627.30	2.45
92	Montenegro	Europe	Southern Europe	19.76	805.19	2.45
93	Colombia	South America	South America	9.17	373.36	2.46
94	Solomon Islands	Oceania	Oceania	13.07	516.70	2.53
95	Morocco	Africa	Northern Africa	9.92	391.22	2.54
96	Sri Lanka	Asia	Southern Asia	4.84	189.38	2.55
97	Costa Rica	North America	Central America	22.89	888.37	2.58
98	Thailand	Asia	South-Eastern Asia	14.01	540.17	2.59
99	Tonga	Oceania	Oceania	21.14	793.68	2.66
100	Hungary	Europe	Eastern Europe	26.49	941.26	2.81
101	Bosnia And Herzegovina	Europe	Southern Europe	18.25	647.85	2.82
102	Antigua and Barbuda	North America	Caribbean	39.59	1,397.86	2.83
103	Marshall Islands	Oceania	Oceania	50.00	1,750.00	2.86
104	Slovakia	Europe	Eastern Europe	34.43	1,189.93	2.89
105	Albania	Europe	Southern Europe	16.12	555.78	2.90
106	Peru	South America	South America	11.38	383.59	2.97
107	Puerto Rico	North America	Caribbean	70.00	2,278.20	3.07
108	Jamaica	North America	Caribbean	19.62	635.44	3.09
109	Yemen	Asia	Western Asia	11.50	368.67	3.12
110	Libya	Africa	Northern Africa	9.27	290.06	3.20
111	Mexico	North America	Central America	24.91	764.23	3.26
112	Tunisia	Africa	Northern Africa	9.75	296.90	3.28
113	Democratic Republic of the Congo	Africa	Middle Africa	18.75	566.44	3.31
114	Azerbaijan	Asia	Western Asia	12.89	388.24	3.32
115	North Macedonia	Europe	Southern Europe	17.39	514.15	3.38
116	Vanuatu	Oceania	Oceania	25.27	729.52	3.46
117	Rwanda	Africa	Eastern Africa	9.20	264.08	3.48
118	Kenya	Africa	Eastern Africa	11.49	328.38	3.50
119	Mauritius	Africa	Eastern Africa	20.08	567.61	3.54
120	Botswana	Africa	Southern Africa	26.06	710.25	3.67
121	Mauritania	Africa	Western Africa	24.98	674.05	3.71
122	Saint Kitts and Nevis	North America	Caribbean	42.00	1,110.06	3.78
123	Panama	North America	Central America	30.19	795.69	3.79
124	Algeria	Africa	Northern Africa	11.61	290.63	3.99
125	Togo	Africa	Western Africa	23.10	549.93	4.20
126	El Salvador	North America	Central America	17.52	415.71	4.21
127	Argentina	South America	South America	17.86	422.45	4.23
128	Brazil	South America	South America	19.41	455.61	4.26
129	Myanmar	Asia	South-Eastern Asia	11.84	275.86	4.29
130	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	North America	Caribbean	37.00	860.30	4.30
131	Bahamas	North America	Caribbean	71.49	1,658.30	4.31
132	Iraq	Asia	Western Asia	23.61	547.32	4.31
133	Barbados	North America	Caribbean	50.00	1,138.89	4.39
134	Dominican Republic	North America	Caribbean	18.24	395.00	4.62
135	Zimbabwe	Africa	Eastern Africa	16.30	342.66	4.76
136	Tanzania	Africa	Eastern Africa	11.90	247.52	4.81
137	Sudan	Africa	Northern Africa	9.59	197.42	4.86
138	Paraguay	South America	South America	15.77	322.81	4.89
139	Maldives	Asia	Southern Asia	48.30	987.55	4.89
140	Comoros	Africa	Eastern Africa	32.85	667.33	4.92
141	Egypt	Africa	Northern Africa	9.03	178.69	5.05
142	Belize	North America	Central America	49.65	962.99	5.16
143	Nigeria	Africa	Western Africa	5.71	108.82	5.25
144	Trinidad and Tobago	North America	Caribbean	43.64	806.26	5.41
145	Niger	Africa	Western Africa	16.50	300.40	5.49
146	Ethiopia	Africa	Eastern Africa	11.57	207.96	5.56
147	Ghana	Africa	Western Africa	10.25	184.10	5.57
148	Bolivia	South America	South America	22.53	390.67	5.77
149	Palau	Oceania	Oceania	58.25	1,000.00	5.83
150	Seychelles	Africa	Eastern Africa	43.27	737.79	5.86
151	Nicaragua	North America	Central America	16.19	251.89	6.43
152	Guyana	South America	South America	27.88	430.26	6.48
153	Venezuela	South America	South America	13.00	194.33	6.69
154	Eswatini	Africa	Southern Africa	33.15	493.24	6.72
155	Uganda	Africa	Eastern Africa	13.12	195.17	6.72
156	Angola	Africa	Southern Africa	21.28	314.53	6.77
157	Gabon	Africa	Middle Africa	33.00	472.94	6.98
158	Laos	Asia	South-Eastern Asia	40.19	560.00	7.18
159	Mozambique	Africa	Eastern Africa	19.24	266.14	7.23
160	Chad	Africa	Middle Africa	24.75	329.96	7.50
161	Afghanistan	Asia	Southern Asia	15.17	199.14	7.62
162	Bhutan	Asia	Southern Asia	36.13	448.60	8.05
163	Tajikistan	Asia	Central Asia	13.77	170.26	8.09
164	Gambia	Africa	Western Africa	22.25	237.30	9.38
165	Madagascar	Africa	Eastern Africa	13.15	139.59	9.42
166	Saint Lucia	North America	Caribbean	111.01	1,156.32	9.60
167	Suriname	South America	South America	25.00	258.20	9.68
168	Dominica	North America	Caribbean	48.10	431.69	11.14
169	Micronesia	Oceania	Oceania	40.00	356.00	11.24
170	Philippines	Asia	South-Eastern Asia	41.46	363.18	11.42
171	Lebanon	Asia	Western Asia	57.66	420.19	13.72
172	Benin	Africa	Western Africa	41.33	283.80	14.56
173	Cameroon	Africa	Middle Africa	24.75	160.85	15.39
174	Cuba	North America	Caribbean	40.00	234.00	17.09
175	Papua New Guinea	Oceania	Melanesia	62.81	287.97	21.81
176	Syria	Asia	Western Asia	9.91	44.83	22.11
177	Ivory Coast	Africa	Western Africa	41.25	177.77	23.20
178	Zambia	Africa	Eastern Africa	87.12	287.66	30.29
179	Guinea	Africa	Western Africa	115.58	205.34	56.29

Global snapshot of mobile data affordability

Here is a snapshot of the world's continents for mobile data affordability. Europe comes out on top, residents of Europe spend 1.37% of their salary on mobile data.

Asia has the second most affordable data in the world, people spend 3.21% of their salary on mobile data. This is below the world average of 4.09%.

South America, North America and Oceania are similar, spending between 4.43 - 5.37% of their salary on mobile data. South America and North America have two different stories behind the final data. North America has the most expensive mobile data but benefits from healthier wages. Whereas South America has the cheapest data but also the lowest salaries.

Africa has the least affordable mobile data in the world. The cost of data is below the world average, but the second-lowest salaries mean the continent finishes bottom of the study.

Continent	Data cost (USD)	Salary (USD)	Mobile data as a % of salary
Europe	21.96	2,207.77	1.37
Asia	19.75	1,134.92	3.21
South America	16.90	457.05	4.43
North America	38.92	1,166.95	4.59
Oceania	35.15	1,285.91	5.37
Africa	23.02	487.99	7.13
World average	24.20	1,204.34	4.09

Regional analysis

In this section, we have a closer look at mobile data affordability in 18 global regions.

Rank	Sub continent	Data cost (USD)	Salary (USD)	Mobile data as a % of salary
1	Western Europe	31.65	4,462.59	0.76
2	Northern Europe	23.54	2,740.94	0.96
3	Northern America	50.39	3,785.75	1.39
4	Eastern Asia	23.81	1,882.18	1.48
5	Eastern Europe	14.95	872.42	1.65
6	Southern Europe	19.61	1,331.24	1.86
7	South-Eastern Asia	18.23	1,139.94	3.10
8	Central Asia	8.88	357.74	3.35
9	Central America	23.15	749.04	3.46
10	Southern Asia	13.91	368.44	3.50
11	Western Asia	24.67	1,438.71	3.69
12	Southern Africa	21.86	707.54	3.71
13	Northern Africa	9.86	274.15	3.82
14	South America	16.90	457.05	4.43
15	Oceania	35.15	1,285.91	5.37
16	Caribbean	46.86	1,021.23	5.79
17	Eastern Africa	22.72	448.96	6.37
18	Middle Africa	25.31	382.55	8.29
19	Western Africa	29.79	569.06	11.04

1. Western Europe

All 9 countries from Western Europe are in the top 50 for mobile data affordability. The average data cost is hefty, but this is outweighed by the region having the highest average salaries. Just think how small the relative cost of a data plan would be if those Monégasques were a bit more frugal!

Customers also benefit from EU roaming if they wish to travel to nearby neighbours, as they can enjoy all the benefits of their SIM card for free as they would at home. Perfect if you have unlimited data for exploring new cities or tethering your device such as a laptop to work remotely without having to worry about finding a decent Wi-Fi connection.

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 0.76%
Average phone plan cost: USD 31.65
Countries tested: 9
Total tariffs measured: 7,277

2. Northern Europe

The 10 countries are all placed in the top 60 and 3 (Iceland, United Kingdom and Denmark) finish in the top 10. Many of these countries benefit from a competitive market with a range of networks and virtual networks such as ID mobile, Smarty or Sky Mobile that offer cheap SIM-only plans. In the UK network, telecoms giants O2 and Virgin Media joined forces, offering discounted packages if you choose a SIM deal through O2 and your broadband from Virgin Media.

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 0.96%
Average phone plan cost: USD 23.54
Countries tested: 10
Total tariffs measured: 6,958

3. Northern America

North America, home of the Apple iPhone and home to some of the most expensive monthly phone plan costs, the most expensive in the world. Both the United States and Canada have data costs above the world average. The region has the third-busiest mobile data traffic, so it’s likely many customers are on unlimited data allowance plans. Healthy payslips mean residents can absorb the hefty price tags.

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 1.39%
Average phone plan cost: USD 50.39
Countries tested: 2
Total tariffs measured: 13,429

4. Eastern Asia

No Eastern Asian country exceeds the average speed (4.09%) of salary on mobile data. Japan and South Korea do go above the average mobile data cost, but the region has the fourth-highest wages, meaning mobile data is a modest expense. The Locals enjoy fast speeds, China has one of the fastest mobile network infrastructures in the world and the region is at the forefront of 5G coverage.

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 1.48%
Average phone plan cost: USD 23.81
Countries tested: 6
Total tariffs measured: 2,557

5. Eastern Europe

The region is the fourth cheapest for mobile plans. Six countries (Poland, Russia, Romania, Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus) all have average data plans under USD 10.00. But because of lower wages than other parts of Europe, Poland also is the only country in the region in the top ten for affordability.

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 1.65%
Average phone plan cost: USD 14.95
Countries tested: 10
Total tariffs measured: 7,538

6. Southern Europe

Within the region, Andorra and Malta have average data plans higher than the world average. The largest economies in the region, Italy and Spain are a respectable 20th and 30th. However, Portugal is a disheartening 71st.

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 1.86%
Average phone plan cost: USD 19.61
Countries tested: 14
Total tariffs measured: 8,133

7. South-Eastern Asia

A tale of two halves. The region has our number one rank - Singapore, which has an average price of data well below the global average and the fifth-highest wages, shooting it into the top spot. The other side of the story is the Philippines, which is placed in the bottom ten (170th).

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 3.10%
Average phone plan cost: USD 18.23
Countries tested: 11
Total tariffs measured: 2,797

8. Central Asia

The region has the cheapest mobile data plans, with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan phone contracts averaging below USD 10.00. However, the region also has the second-lowest wages in the world.

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 3.35%
Average phone plan cost: USD 8.88
Countries tested: 4
Total tariffs measured: 571

9. Central America

The cheapest plans in the region can be found in Nicaragua and El Salvador, but average salaries are well below the world average. This results in the majority of the nations being placed in the bottom half of the study. Honduras breaks away from the pack and is up in an impressive 19th.

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 3.46%
Average phone plan cost: USD 23.15
Countries tested: 8
Total tariffs measured: 1,201

10. Southern Asia

Economic powerhouse India (11th) just misses out on the global top 10 for mobile data affordability. Three of the top four countries for the cheapest data plans are in Southern Asia. Iran, India, and Pakistan all have average mobile data costs under USD 4.00.

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 3.50%
Average phone plan cost: USD 13.91
Countries tested: 9
Total tariffs measured: 6,225

11. Western Asia

The content holds places in both the top and bottom ten. Israel comes third in the world, thanks to cheap mobile plans and average salaries more than double the global average. Lebanon and Syria are in the bottom ten (171st and 176th).

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 3.69%
Average phone plan cost: USD 24.67
Countries tested: 18
Total tariffs measured: 5,521

12. Southern Africa

Lesotho is the highest-placed country, in a lofty 18th place. The highest wages in the region are in South Africa, but a monthly SIM and phone plan will cost USD 31.18 and is placed 89th.

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 3.71%
Average phone plan cost: USD 21.86
Countries tested: 6
Total tariffs measured: 798

13. Northern Africa

Northern Africa on average has the second-cheapest mobile data. Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Tunisia, and Morocco all have data plans under USD 10. However, the region comes bottom for average salary (USD 274.15) and consequently, all countries finish between 95th (Morocco) and 137th (Sudan).

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 3.82%
Average phone plan cost: USD 9.86
Countries tested: 6
Total tariffs measured: 1,457

14. South America

South America’s data plans are cheaper than the global average, but because wages are below the world average, purchasing power isn’t as strong. South America is the first continent in the study above the world average for mobile data as a percentage of salary. The best-placed nation is Uruguay in 57th.

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 4.43%
Average phone plan cost: USD 16.90
Countries tested: 12
Total tariffs measured: 2,869

15. Oceania

Fiji and Solomon Islands have the cheapest mobile plans in the region (USD 13.42 and USD 13.07), but the good news stops there. The region has the third-highest cost for mobile data and the purchasing power is reduced as half of the countries have wages lower than USD 1,000. Papua New Guinea is in the bottom 5 globally for affordability.

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 5.37%
Average phone plan cost: USD 35.15
Countries tested: 10
Total tariffs measured: 2,159

16. Caribbean

Three of the top five nations for the most expensive mobile data are in the Caribbean. Puerto Rico, Bahamas, and Saint Lucia all have data plans that average USD 70 or more. It may be pricey, but Puerto Rico leads the way when it comes to 5G network deployment, capable of download speeds over 100Mb. However, its near neighbor, Cuba has the slowest mobile network in the world, where users would struggle to stream content from platforms such as Disney Plus or Amazon Prime.

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 5.79%
Average phone plan cost: USD 46.86
Countries tested: 13
Total tariffs measured: 374

17. Eastern Africa

Somalia, Burundi, and Djibouti feature in the top 100 for data affordability. The continent has mobile data plans below the global average, but lower-than-average wages reduce the purchasing power of customers. The British telecoms giant, Vodafone, has a strong presence in the region. Operating in Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 6.37%
Average phone plan cost: USD 22.72
Countries tested: 15
Total tariffs measured: 559

18. Middle Africa

Overall, the continent has the sixth-highest data tariff costs in the world. Only the Democratic Republic of the Congo has a better percentage of data costs to an average salary (3.31%) than the world average (4.09%). All countries are placed outside the top 100 for mobile data affordability.

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 8.29%
Average phone plan cost: USD 25.31
Countries tested: 4
Total tariffs measured: 77

19. Western Africa

Two of the bottom five countries for mobile data affordability are in Western Africa. Ivory Coast comes 177th and Guinea is placed bottom of the study. A big factor is Guinea has the most expensive tariff costs (USD 115.58). Liberia is the best-placed country in the region (33rd) and the giant of Africa, Nigeria, has very reasonably priced mobile data (USD 5.71) but is placed 143rd.

Mobile data as a percentage of salary: 11.04%
Average phone plan cost: USD 29.79
Countries tested: 12
Total tariffs measured: 306

Methodology

We compared the average reported monthly mobile phone bill with 10GB+ of mobile data against the average wage for people from 179 countries to work out the cost of internet as a percentage of salary.

Reported monthly phone plan and wages by country: a robust and comprehensive international survey dataset included 70,806 people from 179 countries reporting their wages and monthly mobile phone plan (including 10GB+ of data).
Our table's default order is by ‘rank’ (low to high); the percentage of the average mobile phone bill as a percentage of the average local salary.

Mobile plans are measured from an average pay monthly contract.

Extra costs such as handsets, hotspots, add-ons, and data usage beyond the customer’s maximum allowance are not included in the study
Pay-as-you-go contracts are not included.
The price impact of unlimited text and unlimited minutes is not accounted for.

Currency normalisation:

Phone tariffs were recorded in the local or native currency between 26/01/2023 and 26/01/2024 and then converted to US Dollars (USD) for a fair comparison.
The study is displayed in USD, as it is the world’s reserve currency and predominantly the standard currency unit in which goods are quoted.
The conversion rate between the local currency and USD was calculated on 26/01/2024.

Countries we excluded and why

Data sources

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