Mobile Data Prices
Worldwide 2026
How much does 1GB of mobile data cost in every country? Compare local prices, roaming charges, and eSIM alternatives — the ultimate reference for travelers and researchers.
The price of mobile data varies enormously around the world — from less than $0.02 per GB in Israel to over $43 per GB in parts of Africa. For travelers, the gap is even wider: roaming charges can exceed $2,000 per GB without a plan, while a travel eSIM delivers the same data for under $1.
This page compiles data from Cable.co.uk, GSMA, Statista, and carrier pricing research to give you the most complete picture of mobile data costs worldwide. Updated quarterly.
Top 20 Cheapest Countries for Mobile Data
| # | Country | Avg. Cost / 1GB | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇮🇱 Israel | $0.02 | |
| 2 | 🇫🇯 Fiji | $0.09 | |
| 3 | 🇮🇹 Italy | $0.09 | |
| 4 | 🇸🇲 San Marino | $0.10 | |
| 5 | 🇵🇰 Pakistan | $0.12 | |
| 6 | 🇰🇭 Cambodia | $0.12 | |
| 7 | 🇮🇳 India | $0.16 | |
| 8 | 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan | $0.17 | |
| 9 | 🇨🇴 Colombia | $0.20 | |
| 10 | 🇫🇷 France | $0.20 | |
| 11 | 🇧🇩 Bangladesh | $0.13 | |
| 12 | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | $0.14 | |
| 13 | 🇵🇱 Poland | $0.24 | |
| 14 | 🇦🇹 Austria | $0.26 | |
| 15 | 🇫🇮 Finland | $0.27 | |
| 16 | 🇲🇾 Malaysia | $0.28 | |
| 17 | 🇩🇰 Denmark | $0.29 | |
| 18 | 🇹🇭 Thailand | $0.30 | |
| 19 | 🇳🇬 Nigeria | $0.32 | |
| 20 | 🇷🇴 Romania | $0.34 |
Top 15 Most Expensive Countries for Mobile Data
| # | Country | Avg. Cost / 1GB | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | $43.75 | |
| 2 | 🇸🇭 Saint Helena | $40.13 | |
| 3 | 🇸🇸 South Sudan | $23.70 | |
| 4 | 🇹🇰 Tokelau | $17.24 | |
| 5 | 🇾🇪 Yemen | $15.68 | |
| 6 | 🇹🇲 Turkmenistan | $11.42 | |
| 7 | 🇨🇫 Central African Rep. | $10.90 | |
| 8 | 🇰🇾 Cayman Islands | $8.39 | |
| 9 | 🇫🇰 Falkland Islands | $7.70 | |
| 10 | 🇺🇸 United States | $6.00 | |
| 11 | 🇨🇦 Canada | $5.94 | |
| 12 | 🇧🇲 Bermuda | $5.47 | |
| 13 | 🇰🇷 South Korea | $3.71 | |
| 14 | 🇯🇵 Japan | $3.21 | |
| 15 | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | $2.97 |
The US & Canada: Surprisingly Expensive
Despite being major economies, the United States ($6.00/GB) and Canada ($5.94/GB) rank among the most expensive countries for mobile data globally — more expensive than most of Europe, Asia, and South America. North America's regional average of $4.98/GB is the highest of any region. This makes travel eSIMs particularly valuable for visitors to these countries.
Popular Travel Destinations: Data Costs
How much does 1GB of local mobile data cost in the world's most-visited countries?
| Destination | Local 1GB Price | Roaming Cost* | CelleSIM eSIM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇫🇷 France | $0.20 | $2,050 | from $2.90 |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | $0.09 | $2,050 | from $2.90 |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | $0.53 | $2,050 | from $2.90 |
| 🇹🇷 Turkey | $0.68 | $2,050 | from $2.90 |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | $0.30 | $2,050 | from $2.90 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | $3.21 | $2,050 | from $2.90 |
| 🇺🇸 United States | $6.00 | $2,050 | from $2.90 |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | $0.62 | $2,050 | from $2.90 |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $0.91 | $2,050 | from $2.90 |
| 🇪🇬 Egypt | $0.45 | $2,050 | from $2.90 |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | $0.56 | $2,050 | from $2.90 |
| 🇬🇷 Greece | $0.78 | $2,050 | from $2.90 |
Roaming vs eSIM: The True Cost
What does 1GB of data actually cost a traveler? Here's the comparison using real carrier pricing:
No plan, no limits on charges
Throttled after 5GB/day
No roaming. Local speeds. 200+ countries.
How much can you save with an eSIM?
A typical one-week European trip using 3GB of data: Carrier roaming (pay-per-use): ~$6,150 | Carrier day pass: ~$84 | CelleSIM eSIM: ~$8.70. That's a savings of up to 99.8% compared to pay-per-use roaming, and up to 90% compared to daily passes.
Regional Average: Cost per 1GB
Key Global Statistics
Real Traveler Cost Scenarios
How much would you actually pay for data on a typical trip? We calculated costs for common travel scenarios.
| Scenario | Roaming (No Plan) | Carrier Day Pass | CelleSIM eSIM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🗼 1 week in Paris (3GB used) | $6,150 | $84 | ~$8.70 |
| 🏖️ 10 days in Bali (5GB used) | $10,250 | $120 | ~$14.50 |
| 🗽 2 weeks in USA (7GB used) | $14,350 | $168 | ~$22 |
| 🏰 3 weeks Euro trip (10GB) | $20,500 | $252 | ~$32 |
| ⛩️ 5 days in Tokyo (2GB used) | $4,100 | $60 | ~$5.80 |
Stop Overpaying for Data Abroad
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Compare eSIM Plans →Frequently Asked Questions
Israel leads with approximately $0.02–$0.04 per GB, thanks to high competition among providers and excellent infrastructure. Italy ($0.09/GB), Fiji ($0.09/GB), and India ($0.16/GB) also rank among the cheapest.
Zimbabwe ($43.75/GB) and Saint Helena ($40.13/GB) are the most expensive. Among major economies, the US ($6.00/GB) and Canada ($5.94/GB) are notably high — North America averages $4.98/GB, the most expensive region.
Without a roaming plan, US carriers like AT&T and Verizon charge approximately $2.05 per MB, which equals roughly $2,050 per GB. Some carriers can charge up to €10–€20 per MB in certain regions. Daily roaming passes typically cost $5–$15 per day.
Yes, significantly. Travel eSIMs are 500–1,000× cheaper than pay-per-use roaming and 80–90% cheaper than carrier day passes. CelleSIM 1GB/7-day plans start from $2.90, covering 200+ countries with local network speeds.
The global average is approximately $2.59 per GB (down from $3.12 in 2022). However, this varies enormously — the gap between the cheapest and most expensive countries is over 2,000×.
Methodology & Sources
This page compiles data from Cable.co.uk's annual Worldwide Mobile Data Pricing study (5,600+ plans across 237 countries), Global Relocate's internet cost rankings, GSMA Intelligence, Statista, carrier pricing pages (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Vodafone), and independent travel technology research. Local data prices represent national averages based on pre-paid and post-paid plans. Roaming costs are based on published US carrier pay-per-use rates. eSIM prices reflect CelleSIM's current published rates. This page is updated quarterly. Last update: February 6, 2026.
Citation: If you'd like to reference data from this page, please link back to: cellesim.com/en/mobile-data-prices-worldwide-2026