Comparison site Broadband Genie has today published a new 2024 Mobile Data Affordability Index, which explores the global landscape of mobile data ( mobile broadband ) pricing and affordability. Overall, the
United Kingdom was found to rank 5th most affordable for mobile data out of 179 countries, putting it ahead of “ global powerhouses ” such as
Germany (13th),
Italy (20th), the
USA (35th) and
China (51st). The study itself produced its results by comparing the average cost of a monthly mobile phone plan with 10GB+ of data against average wages from 70,806 people to determine the mobile data affordability rating for 179 countries worldwide. Worldwide, people were found to 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 (£19.19).
Singapore was found to have the most affordable mobile data in the world (0.35% of salary and an average plan cost of USD 17.13), while Guinea has the least affordable data in the world (56.29% and USD 115.58). In the United Kingdom, a similar mobile phone contract typically costs £12.19, which is said to be equivalent to 0.52% of an average wage (£2,337.74). Overall, European and Asian countries take up the majority of places in the top 20, not least since these continents have a greater purchasing power because of higher wages and reasonable tariff prices.