📅This fact may be outdated
This statistic was cited in the 1999 United Nations Human Development Report but is no longer accurate. As of 2024-2025, approximately 80% of people aged 10+ globally own a mobile phone, and 96% of the world's population is covered by 3G or better mobile networks. While approximately 2.6 billion people (about 33% of the global population) remain offline from the internet, the vast majority have access to basic telephone services. The 'never made or received a call' percentage is now likely in the single digits, primarily affecting remote populations in low-income countries where only 56% own mobile phones.
More than 50% of the people in the world have never made or received a telephone call.
Did Half the World Really Never Use a Phone?
In 1999, the United Nations published a startling statistic: more than half of all people on Earth had never made or received a telephone call. Let that sink in. While some of us were upgrading to our second or third cell phone, billions of people had never heard a dial tone.
Fast forward to 2025, and the world looks radically different.
The Mobile Revolution Changed Everything
Today, four out of five people aged 10 or older own a mobile phone. That's roughly 80% of the global population carrying a device that would have seemed like science fiction just a few decades ago. There are now 9.1 billion mobile-cellular subscriptions worldwide—that's 12% more subscriptions than there are people on the planet (many people have multiple phones or SIM cards).
Even more impressive: 96% of the world's population is now covered by 3G or better mobile networks, meaning they have access to make calls even if they don't personally own a phone.
But the Digital Divide Hasn't Disappeared
Before we celebrate too much, it's important to recognize that disparities still exist:
- In high-income countries, 95% of people own mobile phones
- In low-income countries, only 56% of people aged 10+ own a mobile phone
- Approximately 2.6 billion people (33% of the global population) remain offline from the internet
- Rural areas lag significantly behind cities—81% of urban residents use the internet versus just 50% in rural areas
The gap is especially pronounced when it comes to smartphones and internet access. While high-income nations enjoy 93% internet penetration, low-income nations sit at just 27%.
What Changed in Just 25 Years?
The transformation from 1999 to 2025 represents one of the fastest technology adoptions in human history. Mobile phones leapfrogged traditional landline infrastructure in developing countries, allowing nations to skip directly to wireless technology without spending billions on copper wire networks.
Sub-Saharan Africa witnessed particularly dramatic growth, jumping to 74% mobile ownership by 2025. In the Asia-Pacific region, 89% now own mobile phones. These aren't just devices for the wealthy—mobile phones have become essential tools for banking, education, healthcare, and economic participation in regions that never had reliable landline service.
The Remaining Gaps
While the percentage of people who have never made or received a phone call has plummeted to likely single digits, around 2.9 billion people (37% of the global population) still lack regular access to a telephone, computer, or internet—disproportionately affecting women and girls.
The statistic that once shocked the world in 1999 now serves as a powerful reminder of how quickly technology can transform society. But it also highlights how much work remains to ensure everyone can participate in our increasingly connected world.