Microsoft Azure availability zones worldwide 2024, by region

Microsoft Azure's global cloud infrastructure continues to expand, with 93 availability zones (AZs) spanning 33 regions as of 2024. Europe leads the way with 33 AZs, followed closely by the Americas with 27. This distribution highlights Azure's commitment to providing robust and reliable cloud services across diverse geographic locations, ensuring low-latency access and data redundancy for its customers worldwide.

Comparing cloud giants

While Azure boasts a significant presence, it faces stiff competition from other major cloud providers. Google Cloud Platform operates data centers in 40 regions with a total of 121 AZs, surpassing Azure's count. Europe remains a key focus for both providers, with Google Cloud hosting 36 AZs in the region. Amazon Web Services (AWS) also maintains a strong global footprint with 34 geographic regions and a particularly dense presence in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and China, which collectively account for over 70 percent of AWS's total AZs.

Regional distribution and market dynamics

The concentration of AZs in Europe across multiple providers underscores the region's importance in the global cloud market. While operating on a smaller scale, IBM data centers host 43 AZs worldwide, prioritizes the Americas with 19 zones. Similarly, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure data centers, with 50 AZs globally, places emphasis on Europe with 15 AZs. This regional focus among various providers indicates a competitive landscape where strategic placement of infrastructure plays a crucial role in meeting customer demands and regulatory requirements.