5.b.1 Proportion of individuals who own a mobile telephone, by sex

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Headline data

Proportion of individuals who own a mobile telephone, by sex
Year Value Series GeoCode Observation status Unit multiplier Unit measure
2008 84.0 Percentage of individuals who use a mobile telephone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2009 89.0 Percentage of individuals who use a mobile telephone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2010 89.0 Percentage of individuals who use a mobile telephone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2011 28.0 Percentage of mobile phone owners who use a smartphone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2011 91.0 Percentage of individuals who use a mobile telephone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2012 39.0 Percentage of mobile phone owners who use a smartphone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2012 92.0 Percentage of individuals who use a mobile telephone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2013 51.0 Percentage of mobile phone owners who use a smartphone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2013 92.0 Percentage of individuals who use a mobile telephone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2014 61.0 Percentage of mobile phone owners who use a smartphone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2014 93.0 Percentage of individuals who use a mobile telephone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2015 71.0 Percentage of mobile phone owners who use a smartphone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2015 93.0 Percentage of individuals who use a mobile telephone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2016 76.0 Percentage of mobile phone owners who use a smartphone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2016 93.0 Percentage of individuals who use a mobile telephone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2017 81.0 Percentage of mobile phone owners who use a smartphone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2017 97.0 Percentage of individuals who use a mobile telephone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2018 78.0 Percentage of mobile phone owners who use a smartphone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2018 94.0 Percentage of individuals who use a mobile telephone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2019 84.0 Percentage of mobile phone owners who use a smartphone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2019 94.0 Percentage of individuals who use a mobile telephone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2020 87.0 Percentage of mobile phone owners who use a smartphone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2020 94.0 Percentage of individuals who use a mobile telephone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2021 Percentage of mobile phone owners who use a smartphone Missing value Units Percentage (%)
2021 Percentage of individuals who use a mobile telephone Missing value Units Percentage (%)
2022 93.0 Percentage of mobile phone owners who use a smartphone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2022 96.0 Percentage of individuals who use a mobile telephone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2023 92.0 Percentage of mobile phone owners who use a smartphone Normal value Units Percentage (%)
2023 95.0 Percentage of individuals who use a mobile telephone Normal value Units Percentage (%)

Source: Ofcom

Geographical Area: United Kingdom

Unit of Measurement: Percentage (%)

Footnote:

1. From 2015 onwards, the age categories '55 to 64' and '65 and over' were combined and renamed '55 and over'. From 2022 onwards the '65 and over' category was included again, in addition to '55 and over'.

2. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ofcom Technology Tracker was not able to conduct face-to-face fieldwork in 2021, the method by which previous Technology Tracker surveys have been conducted. As such, data for 2021 has not been included as it is not directly comparable to other years.

3. Data collection since 2022 has returned to a primarily face-to-face methodology and, as such, 2023 data can be compared to data with 2022, as well as 2020 and earlier. Please see the Technical Report for further details of the minor year-on-year methodological changes.

This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from UK statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from UK statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other UK-specific metadata information.

Indicator available

5.b.1 Proportion of individuals who own a mobile telephone, by sex
Indicator description

Not available for this indicator
Geographical coverage

United Kingdom
Unit of measurement

Percentage (%)
Definitions

A smartphone is defined as a phone on which you can easily access emails, download files and applications, as well as view websites and generally search the internet.

The NRS Social Grade Classification is used by OFCOM for its socio-economic classification.

Available disaggregations

From 2015 onwards, the age categories ‘55 to 64’ and ‘65 and over’ were combined and renamed ‘55 and over’. From 2022 onwards the ‘65 and over’ category was included again, in addition to ‘55 and over’.
Calculations

Not available for this indicator
Other information

1. Up to and including 2020, the period January to February is being used to report annual data.

2. The period between 1st February and 8th May is being used to report annual data for 2022.

3. The period between 20th January and 24th April is being used to report annual data for 2023.

4. All data have been weighted to ensure they are representative of the UK adult population.

Data follows the UN specification for this indicator. This indicator has been identified in collaboration with topic experts.
Data last updated 17 August 2023
Metadata last updated 17 August 2023

This table provides information on metadata for SDG indicators as defined by the UN Statistical Commission. Complete global metadata is provided by the UN Statistics Division.

Indicator name

Proportion of individuals who own a mobile telephone, by sex
Target name

Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women
UN designated tier

Tier II
UN custodian agency

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Link to UN metadata United Nations Sustainable Development Goals metadata for target 5.b opens in a new window

Source 1

Organisation

Ofcom
Periodicity

Annual
Earliest available data

2008
Geographical coverage

UK
Link to data source Statistical release calendars - Ofcom technology tracker. opens in a new window
Release date 08 June 2023
Next release

See source link: We plan to update indicator data within 4 months of data being released
Statistical classification

Offical statistic
Contact details

market.research@ofcom.org.uk
Other information

Technology Tracker UK data tables - Tables that show responses to (i) QM1 - Is there a mobile phone in your household which is used to make and receive calls? and (ii) QM2 - Are any of the mobile phones in your household a smartphone?

Please see the Ofcom Technology Tracker 2023 - Technical Report for further methodological details.

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