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Gender Equality - Goal

Proportion of individuals who own a mobile telephone, by sex

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

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Data follows the UN specification for this indicator and has been indentified in collaboration with topic experts.

The Sustainable Development Goals is a collaborative project, if you have any feedback or suggestions for data please contact us at SustainableDevelopment@ons.gov.uk

Percentage of individuals who own a mobile telephone or smartphone

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Headline data

Year Value
2008 84
2009 89
2010 89
2011 91
2012 92
2013 92
2014 93
2015 93
2016 93
2017 94

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 Percentage of individuals who own a mobile telephone or smartphone
Indicator description
Geographical coverage United Kingdom
Unit of measurement Percentage (%)
Definitions ODA: overseas development assistance; SEEA: System of Environmental Economic Accounting; EPEA: Environmental Protection Expenditure Accounts; UNCEEA: UN Committee on Environmental Economic Accounting; BIOFIN: Biodiversity Finance Initiative.
Calculations (Number of women / Population) * 100
Other information
Data last updated 2018-04-04: see changes on GitHub opens in a new window
Metadata last updated 2018-05-31: see changes on GitHub opens in a new window

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
Indicator number 5.b.1
Target name Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women
Target number 5.b
Global indicator description
UN designated tier 1
UN custodian agency International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Link to UN metadata United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Metadata (PDF 211 KB) opens in a new window
Organisation Ofcom
Periodicity Annual
Earliest available data 2008
Geographical coverage United Kingdom
Link to data source Technology tracker: ‘do you personally use a mobile phone?’ and ‘do you personally use a smartphone?’ opens in a new window
Release date 28-02-2017
Next release To be announced
Statistical classification Official Statistic
Contact details Prepared by Saville Rossiter-Base 01727 899 399,
Other information