Here's where mobile data is most expensive - and how to avoid high costs when you travel
The price of 1GB of mobile data varies dramatically across the world, with consumers in some countries paying hundreds of times more than those in the cheapest markets. Make sure you prepare before you travel.
Produced in partnership with Gjirafa travel - the cheapest way to stay online while abroad.
The price of 1GB of mobile data varies dramatically across the world, with consumers in some countries paying hundreds of times more than those in the cheapest markets.
Travellers in particular are vulnerable as roaming costs can be much, much higher.
Don’t overpay for data when you travel. Get an eSIM from The World in Maps’ partner, Gjirafa Travel, with an exclusive 10% discount.
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This map shows prices according to Cable.co.uk. United Kingdom-based price comparison website analysed thousands of mobile data plans across more than 230 countries and territories to calculate the average cost of 1GB of mobile data in U.S. dollars.
Israel remained one of the world's cheapest places to buy mobile data, with intense competition among network operators helping keep prices exceptionally low. Italy, France, India and Fiji also ranked among the least expensive markets, where 1GB typically costs well below the global average.
At the other end of the scale, Zimbabwe had the world's highest average price for 1GB of mobile data, followed by countries including Equatorial Guinea, Saint Helena and the Falkland Islands. Many of the most expensive markets are characterised by limited competition, small subscriber bases or the high cost of providing telecommunications infrastructure in remote locations.
The United States ranked among the more expensive developed economies. While Americans generally benefit from extensive 4G and 5G coverage, average mobile data prices remain significantly higher than in many European and Asian countries because of differences in market competition, spectrum costs and pricing strategies.
Across Europe, prices are generally lower than in North America, supported by highly competitive mobile markets and regulatory policies that encourage consumer choice. Italy has consistently ranked among the cheapest countries globally for mobile data, while Nordic countries and parts of Central Europe also record relatively low prices.
In Asia, India continues to offer some of the world's lowest mobile data costs. Analysts attribute this to fierce competition following the entry of Reliance Jio in 2016, which triggered a prolonged price war and dramatically reduced mobile internet prices while accelerating nationwide data consumption.
By contrast, several African countries display wide differences in pricing. Markets with greater network competition, such as Kenya and Nigeria, tend to offer lower prices than countries where operators face higher infrastructure costs, currency pressures or limited economies of scale.
Cable.co.uk notes that price alone does not necessarily reflect value. Consumers in higher-priced markets may receive faster download speeds, broader rural coverage or larger bundled service packages, while lower prices often result from intense competition rather than lower operating costs.
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