The rise of digital platforms, IoT, and smartphones has fueled a sharp increase in mobile data spending. In 2025, end users worldwide are expected to spend a whopping $671 billion on mobile data, $30 billion more than last year, with huge regional differences. While Americans remain the biggest spenders, averaging $430 per user, 2.5 times more than Europeans and five times the global average, Europe is bracing for the most significant cost increase.
According to data presented by Stocklytics.com, the average mobile data cost per user in Europe is expected to jump by 25% and hit over $200 by 2029.
Mobile Data Costs in Europe Set to Rise Twice as Quickly as in Other Major Markets
People, businesses, and organizations worldwide spend hundreds of billions of dollars on mobile data each year. Tech innovations like AI and augmented reality and the surge in video streaming, online gaming, and remote work have only boosted market growth, while the rollout of 5G technology, with users consuming more data than ever, helped spending hit all-time highs. While emerging markets play a huge role in mobile data spending, adding millions of new users each year, the lion’s share of revenue comes from Europe.
However, unlike the U.S. or Asia, where data costs are stabilizing thanks to stronger infrastructure and competitive pricing, the Old Continent faces rising network expenses, a slower 5G rollout in some areas, and growing demand from increasingly data-hungry users. As mobile services become a key part of daily life and work, the gap between how much data people use and how much is invested in the network is pushing prices up faster in Europe than anywhere else.
According to a Statista Market Insights survey, average per capita spending on mobile data in Europe is expected to reach $161 in 2025, three times more than in Asia, double the global average, yet still 2.5 times less than in the United States. Also, this represents a significant 35% increase compared to 2020, when Europeans paid $119 on average. However, Statista’s projections suggest this upward trend is far from over. In fact, Europe faces the biggest cost growth of all major markets, with average spending expected to jump by another 25% and hit over $200 by 2029.
In comparison, the U.S., home to the world’s biggest mobile data spenders, is expected to see less than half of that increase, with average user costs rising by 11% in this period. Asia and the global market follow closely with projected 12% and 13% cost increases by 2029, respectively.
Europe’s Mobile Data Revenue to Jump $30 Billion Amid Rising Costs
With mobile data costs projected to rise by 25% and the number of mobile broadband connections rising from 910 million to 970 million over the next four years, Europe’s mobile data revenue will increase significantly. In 2025, the European market is expected to gross over $136 billion in revenue, nearly $8 billion more than last year and almost 35% more than just five years ago.
This figure is projected to climb by another $30 billion by 2029, reaching over $168 billion. For the first time, this increase would place Europe ahead of the United States in mobile data revenue, with a $2 billion lead.
