Top 5 Countries for Outbound Roamers in 2025

A new study by Juniper Research revealed the top 5 countries ranked by the average monthly number of outbound roaming mobile subscribers predicted for 2025. China ranked first with 12.4 million roamers, ahead of the US (11 million), the UK (8.4 million), France (7.8 million), and Germany (7.1 million).

The research, assessing monthly outbound and inbound roaming subscribers, tracked 12 of the largest roaming markets, offering unparalleled insight into the future of each country. Over the next four years, China will lead growth, with an increase in outbound roamers of 29%, followed by the UK, with a growth of 14%.

The study warns against the growing impact of travel SIMs and eSIMs in these countries, as the technology provides greater flexibility in choosing a connectivity provider when traveling internationally. To navigate this disruption and mitigate potential roaming revenue loss, operators must pursue the development of their own travel SIM and eSIM offerings, strategically prioritizing investments based on the individual characteristics of their market.

For example, US operators must prioritize the creation of travel SIM and eSIM offerings for Canada and Mexico, with these countries representing more than 65% of outbound roaming from the US in 2025. In contrast, the UK sees most of its outbound roaming to Europe, with leading destinations being France (32 million) and Spain (20 million) in 2025. Utilizing this data product, stakeholders and vendors can optimize their roaming strategies, creating a competitive advantage in their offerings.