PH mobile connections exceeded population by 20M in 2025 - report

The Philippines had about 20 million more cellular mobile connections than its actual population in October 2025, highlighting Filipinos’ continued reliance on multiple mobile subscriptions despite the country’s mandatory SIM registration policy.

DataReportal’s Digital 2026 Philippines report showed that cellular mobile connections reached 137 million, equivalent to 117% of the country’s estimated population of 117 million.

The figure also represented an increase of 4 million connections, or 3%, from a year earlier.

The data suggests that many Filipinos continue to maintain more than one SIM card or mobile subscription, a long-standing practice in the country driven by varying network coverage, promotional offers, and data packages offered by telecommunications providers.

The Philippines’ mobile connection rate was slightly above the global average, where mobile connections were equivalent to 107% of the world’s population – although it remained below the Southeast Asian average of 121%.

The report also pointed to the country’s growing digital connectivity.

Internet users reached 98 million, equivalent to 83.8% of the Philippines’ population, while social media user identities climbed to 95.8 million, or 81.9% of the population.

Social media user identities posted the fastest growth among the country’s key digital indicators, increasing by 9 million or 10.3% over the past year.

However, DataReportal noted that social media user identities do not necessarily represent unique individuals, as some users maintain multiple accounts and some accounts belong to organizations or businesses.

Overall, the Philippines’ population was estimated at 117 million as of October 2025, up by around 942,000 people or 0.8% from a year earlier. Nearly half, or 49.1%, of Filipinos lived in urban areas.

DataReportal compiles digital usage and connectivity data from telecommunications companies, government agencies, internet platforms, and research organizations worldwide. Data were presented on Wednesday during Meltwater Marketers Meetup in Taguig City. — JMA, GMA News