Mongolia Unpacked: Demographics, Digital Economy, and Leading Streaming Services
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Mongolia, a landlocked country in East Asia, is characterized by its vast steppes and nomadic culture, though urbanization is rapidly increasing.
Population: Approximately 3.4 million people (as of 2023-2024 estimates), making it one of the least densely populated sovereign states in the world.
Population Density: Roughly 2.1 people per square kilometer.
Urbanization: Over 70% of the population resides in urban areas, with the capital city Ulaanbaatar being home to more than half of the country's total population.
Age Structure: Mongolia has a relatively young population, with a significant proportion under 30 years old. The median age is approximately 28 years.
Average Household Size: The average household size is around 3.8 to 4.0 people.
Ethnic Groups: The dominant ethnic group is Khalkh Mongols (approximately 86%), followed by Kazakhs (around 4%) and other smaller Mongol groups (Dorvod, Bayad, Buriat, Dariganga, etc.).
Official Language: Mongolian is the official language, written in the Cyrillic alphabet. Kazakh is also spoken in Bayan-Ölgii province.
Literacy Rate: The adult literacy rate is remarkably high, exceeding 98%.
GDP per capita (PPP): Approximately $13,000 - $14,000 USD (2023 estimates), indicating a developing economy heavily reliant on mining.
Internet and Digital Usage
Digital adoption in Mongolia is robust, driven by extensive mobile penetration and a tech-savvy younger demographic.
Internet Penetration: High, with approximately 71-75% of the population having internet access.
Number of Internet Users: Estimated to be between 2.4 to 2.8 million individuals.
Mobile Connections: Mobile cellular subscriptions significantly exceed the population, with around 4.5 to 5 million connections, indicating multiple SIM card usage per person.
Social Media Usage: Social media platforms are widely popular.
Facebook: Estimated 2.3-2.5 million users.
YouTube: Estimated 1.9-2.1 million users.
Instagram and TikTok: Also show strong growth and engagement, especially among younger demographics.
E-commerce: The e-commerce market is experiencing steady growth, supported by increasing internet access, digital payment solutions, and expanding local delivery networks.
Digital Payments: High adoption rates for digital payment methods, including mobile banking apps and e-wallets, which are increasingly preferred for daily transactions.
Current Exchange Rate, ARPU consuming
The Mongolian Tugrik (MNT) is the national currency. ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) for digital services varies.
Current Exchange Rate (MNT to USD): As of May 2024, approximately 1 USD ≈ 3,430 MNT. The exchange rate can fluctuate, influenced by commodity prices (especially copper and coal) and foreign investment.
ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) for Telecommunications: For mobile and internet services in Mongolia, ARPU typically ranges from 10,000 to 25,000 MNT per month (approximately $3-$7 USD). This figure often encompasses data, voice, and SMS services.
ARPU Consuming (Streaming Services): Specific ARPU for streaming services in Mongolia is generally not publicly disclosed by individual companies. However, monthly subscription fees for local and international video streaming platforms in Mongolia commonly range from 5,000 MNT to 20,000 MNT (approximately $1.50-$6 USD), depending on the service and plan features.
Top 10 Video Streaming Companies
Here is a list of prominent video streaming companies operating in Mongolia, including global giants and significant local players.
Founded in 1997 as a DVD-by-mail rental service. Launched its streaming service in 2007, pioneering the shift to online subscription video. Expanded globally, reaching over 190 countries by 2016, including Mongolia.
Company Location
Los Gatos, California, USA
Total Audience Volumes
Over 260 million global paid subscribers (as of Q1 2024). Highly popular in Mongolia, though specific country-level subscriber numbers are not publicly disclosed.
Content Categories Provided
Movies, TV series, documentaries, stand-up comedy, animation, reality TV, and extensive original productions spanning various genres and languages.
Service Platforms
Web browsers, iOS, Android, Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony, etc.), gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox), streaming devices (Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV).
Launched in February 2005 as a video-sharing website. Acquired by Google in November 2006. It has since become the world's largest platform for user-generated video content and a major source for music, news, and entertainment.
Company Location
San Bruno, California, USA (subsidiary of Google/Alphabet Inc.)
Total Audience Volumes
Over 2.7 billion monthly active users globally. Millions of users in Mongolia, making it one of the most accessed video platforms in the country for both entertainment and information.
Content Categories Provided
User-generated videos, music videos, vlogs, educational content, news, gaming, short films, live streams. Offers premium subscriptions like YouTube Premium for ad-free viewing and YouTube Music for dedicated music streaming.
Service Platforms
Web browsers, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, gaming consoles, streaming devices.
Launched in 2006 as Amazon Unbox. Evolved through various iterations, eventually rebranding as Prime Video and becoming a key component of the Amazon Prime membership. Expanded to over 200 countries and territories, including Mongolia.
Company Location
Seattle, Washington, USA (division of Amazon.com, Inc.)
Total Audience Volumes
Over 200 million global Prime members (as of 2023), who have access to Prime Video. Its presence is growing in Mongolia, benefiting from global expansion efforts.
Content Categories Provided
Movies, TV series, Amazon Originals (e.g., The Boys, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power), documentaries, kids' content, and some regional sports content.
Service Platforms
Web browsers, iOS, Android, Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony), gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox), streaming devices (Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku).
Launched in November 2019 in select markets (US, Canada, Netherlands). Rapidly expanded globally, leveraging Disney's vast content library and major franchises. It became available in Mongolia as part of its wider Asian rollout.
Company Location
Burbank, California, USA (division of The Walt Disney Company)
Total Audience Volumes
Over 150 million global subscribers (as of early 2024). Has a strong appeal in Mongolia, especially among families and fans of its iconic franchises.
Content Categories Provided
Movies, TV series, animated films, documentaries, and original productions from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. Also includes general entertainment via the Star brand in many international markets.
Service Platforms
Web browsers, iOS, Android, Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Android TV), streaming devices (Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Amazon Fire TV), gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox).
Look Media Group LLC (CEO G. Erdenebat often associated with its development)
History
Launched around 2016-2017, LookTV quickly established itself as a leading local over-the-top (OTT) streaming platform in Mongolia. It focuses on providing a wide array of local and international entertainment.
Company Location
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Total Audience Volumes
One of the most popular local streaming services in Mongolia, with hundreds of thousands of active users. It boasts a significant share of the local digital entertainment market.
Content Categories Provided
Mongolian movies and series, international movies and series (often dubbed or subtitled in Mongolian), live TV channels, sports, news, documentaries, and kids' content.
Service Platforms
Web browsers, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, and dedicated LookTV set-top boxes.
Univision is a major Mongolian telecommunications provider offering mobile, internet, and TV services. Univision Play is their integrated live TV and video-on-demand (VOD) streaming service, enhancing their ecosystem for subscribers.
Company Location
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Total Audience Volumes
As a key service from a major telecom provider, Univision Play reaches tens to hundreds of thousands of users from Univision's large subscriber base.
Content Categories Provided
Live Mongolian and international TV channels, a library of Mongolian movies and series, foreign films, news, sports, and kids' entertainment.
Service Platforms
Web browsers, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, and Univision's own branded set-top boxes.
Unitel is another leading Mongolian telecommunications company. DDish TV is their established satellite and IPTV service, and DDish Cinema (or similar VOD branding) serves as their on-demand movie and show library for subscribers.
Company Location
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Total Audience Volumes
Unitel holds a significant market share in telecommunications. DDish Cinema is popular among its extensive base of TV and internet subscribers, reaching tens to hundreds of thousands of users.
Content Categories Provided
Mongolian and international movies, TV series, documentaries, kids' programming, and integration with live TV channels available through DDish TV.
Service Platforms
Web browsers, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, and Unitel's proprietary set-top boxes.
KDDI Corporation (Japan) and Sumitomo Corporation (Japan) in partnership with Mongolian investors
History
Mobicom Corporation, established in 1996, is the largest mobile operator in Mongolia. Mobicom TV/Play extends its digital offerings, providing live television and video-on-demand content to its vast mobile and internet subscriber base.
Company Location
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Total Audience Volumes
Leveraging its massive mobile subscriber base, Mobicom TV has a substantial reach, serving hundreds of thousands of active users across Mongolia.
Content Categories Provided
A mix of live local and international TV channels, Mongolian films, foreign movies and series, news, and sports content.
Service Platforms
Primarily iOS and Android mobile applications, with web browser access, and compatibility with some Smart TVs.
Launched as a dedicated local streaming service in Mongolia, TVZONE aims to provide diverse entertainment options, including local productions and a curated selection of international content, contributing to the growing OTT market.
Company Location
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Total Audience Volumes
A growing local player in the Mongolian streaming market, appealing to tens of thousands of users seeking a variety of entertainment options. Specific subscriber figures are not publicly disclosed.
Content Categories Provided
Mongolian movies and series, international films, documentaries, animated content, and a selection of live TV channels.
Service Platforms
Web browsers, iOS, Android, and Smart TVs.
10. MNB Go (Mongolian National Broadcaster's streaming service)
Feature
Details
Homepage URL
www.mnb.mn (official website with streaming functionality)
Founder
Government of Mongolia (as a public service broadcaster)
History
The Mongolian National Broadcaster (MNB) was established in 1967 as the official public service media of Mongolia. It has expanded its reach into digital platforms, offering live streaming of its TV channels and on-demand access to its programs through its website and mobile applications.
Company Location
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Total Audience Volumes
As the national public broadcaster, MNB reaches a broad audience across Mongolia through traditional broadcasts and its digital platforms, with hundreds of thousands of viewers engaging with its content.
Content Categories Provided
Mongolian news, current affairs, cultural programs, documentaries, children's educational content, entertainment shows produced by MNB, and live coverage of events and sports when MNB holds broadcasting rights.
