As of February 2025, there were 5.56 billion internet users worldwide, which amounted to 67.9 percent of the global population. Of this total, 5.24 billion, or 63.9 percent of the world's population, were social media users. Global internet usage Connecting billions of people worldwide, the internet is a core pillar of the modern information society. Northern Europe ranked first among worldwide regions by the share of the population using the internet in 2024. In The Netherlands, Norway and Saudi Arabia, 99 percent of the population used the internet as of April 2024. North Korea was at the opposite end of the spectrum, with virtually no internet usage penetration among the general population, ranking last worldwide. Asia was home to the largest number of online users worldwide – over 2.93 billion at the latest count. Europe ranked second, with around 750 million internet users. China, India, and the United States rank ahead of other countries worldwide by the number of internet users. Worldwide internet user demographics As of 2023, the share of female internet users worldwide was 65 percent, five percent less than that of men. Gender disparity in internet usage was bigger in the Arab States and Africa, with around a ten percent difference. Worldwide regions, like the Commonwealth of Independent States and Europe, showed a smaller gender gap. As of 2023, global internet usage was higher among individuals between 15 and 24 years across all regions, with young people in Europe representing the most significant usage penetration, 98 percent. In comparison, the worldwide average for the age group 15–24 years was 79 percent. The income level of the countries was also an essential factor for internet access, as 93 percent of the population of the countries with high income reportedly used the internet, as opposed to only 27 percent of the low-income markets.

The number of internet users in Saudi Arabia was forecast to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total 5.1 million users (+21.94 percent). After the tenth consecutive increasing year, the number of users is estimated to reach 28.36 million users and therefore a new peak in 2029. Notably, the number of internet users of was continuously increasing over the past years.Depicted is the estimated number of individuals in the country or region at hand, that use the internet. As the datasource clarifies, connection quality and usage frequency are distinct aspects, not taken into account here.The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in up to 150 countries and regions worldwide. All indicators are sourced from international and national statistical offices, trade associations and the trade press and they are processed to generate comparable data sets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).Find more information concerning Singapore and South Korea.

The population share with internet access in Saudi Arabia was forecast to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total 8.4 percentage points. After the tenth consecutive increasing year, the internet penetration is estimated to reach 76.83 percent and therefore a new peak in 2029. Notably, the population share with internet access of was continuously increasing over the past years.The penetration rate refers to the share of the total population having access to the internet via any means. The shown figures have been derived from survey data that has been processed to estimate missing demographics.The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in more than 150 countries and regions worldwide. All input data are sourced from international institutions, national statistical offices, and trade associations. All data has been are processed to generate comparable datasets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).Find more information concerning Thailand and Malaysia.

The number of internet users in Saudi Arabia grew from 36.3 million users in January 2023 to 36.8 million users in January 2024, corresponding to a 1.4 percent growth rate. Around 97.3 percent of these users accessed the internet via mobile phones.

In 2030, the number of mobile internet users in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) was forecast to reach around 422 million, up from 327 million in 2023. The mobile internet penetration rate in the region was projected to reach around 58 percent of the population by 2030. GCC technology adoption   Investments in technological innovation, notably in 5G technology, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, have risen dramatically in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. 5G solutions were introduced in the region in 2019 and will be the primary focus of smartphone users and gaming companies in 2020. In 2019, the majority of the population in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia reported a willingness to adopt 5G connections as soon as they become available in the market, but only around a fifth expected positive response after installation . The Middle East outperforms the rest of the world in terms of the rate at which new technologies are adopted, aided by the strong top-down attitude of local governments. Technology sector post COVID-19 in MENA     COVID-19 caused the suspension or cancellation of IT projects in the MENA region. IT investment will likely recover to pre-pandemic levels in 2021 as the region's situation improves and firms realize the full benefits of a strong digital environment. Cloud management and security services in the MENA area are expected to be valued at 226 million U.S. dollars in 2020. People were more likely to use online choices for shopping, communication, and remote working during the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020, which resulted in lockdowns and the closure of businesses, restaurants, and supermarkets. Every nation in the area has seen a significant surge in the usage of mobile applications, notably Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. In 2022, the region's spending on communication services in the information technology industry was estimated to exceed 120 billion U.S. dollars.

According to a survey about internet usage in Saudi Arabia, WhatsApp was the most used social media platform, with 83.1 percent of internet users reporting using it as of the third quarter of 2023. Instagram came second with 72.7 percent. Saudi Arabia, happier with social media The social media landscape in Saudi Arabia can be characterized by the popularity of WhatsApp, the growing number of social media users, the dominance of Facebook in web traffic referrals, and the high percentage of internet users who watch online video content. Given the latter, it should come as no surprise that potential ad reach on social media is led by platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Consumers primarily use the platforms to keep in touch with their loved ones or to make the most out of their spare time. The majority of the social media users in Saudi Arabia have reported positive sentiments by saying that social media makes them happier. Social media and internet freedom Saudi Arabia has a high internet penetration rate and many young, active social media users. Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia ranks relatively low when it comes to internet freedom. However, internet users in the kingdom generally support necessary social media restrictions.

The reach by social network in the 'Twitter' segment of the digital advertising market in Saudi Arabia was forecast to continuously increase between 2023 and 2028 by in total 1.3 million users (+9.4 percent). After the ninth consecutive increasing year, the indicator is estimated to reach 15.08 million users and therefore a new peak in 2028. Notably, the reach by social network of the 'Twitter' segment of the digital advertising market was continuously increasing over the past years.Find more information concerning South Korea and Australia. The Statista Market Insights cover a broad range of additional markets.

As of the third quarter of 2023, free delivery topped the list of key drivers of online purchases among internet users in Saudi Arabia. Whereas, sustainability and product exclusivity were of a lower priority in buyers’ minds when making online purchase decisions. Online retail in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia has one of the highest shares of online shoppers in the world. This, coupled with the fact that it has the largest population in the Gulf Cooperation Council, while being the region's biggest economy, makes the country a lucrative market for online retailers. Amazon works closely with the Kingdom through investments in the digital sector, and supporting small and medium- sized enterprises. It reported that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were the fastest-growing e-commerce markets in the Middle East region, with the number of online shoppers doubling in recent years. Although the online retail market has made many strides, e-commerce still accounts for a relatively small share of the MENA region’s total retail sales. E-commerce's role in digitization The ability to pay with cash-on-delivery was a priority for roughly 36.5 percent of online consumers. However, this method, although convenient for the consumer, may not always be the most suitable model for online retailers. A survey about weekly online shopping activity in Saudi Arabia found that at least a fifth of consumers had used a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) service. Therefore, it is easy to see how the growth of online retail and a large tech-savvy youth population has had a trickle effect on other industries, such as digital payments. Companies have realized the business such services attract and are gradually offering consumers more flexible payment options. In 2021, there were around 90 fintech companies in Saudi Arabia, with this number expected to increase consistently over the coming years. Digitizing the economy is a key part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program. To this end, the country has invested heavily in telecommunication infrastructure, financial and other tech startups, and launched various digital services.

In a survey conducted during the third quarter of 2023, respondents in Saudi Arabia reported visual digital media accounted for most of their internet usage. On the other hand, respondents spent the least amount of time per day on digital audio services such as streaming music and podcasts. Media consumption in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia has a growing digital media market. This is aided by strong internet penetration, modern and reliable telecommunication infrastructure, and a large young tech-savvy population. Social media usage, which survey respondents said occupied around three hours of their time each day, was topped by Meta-owned companies. The number of YouTube users in the country has also risen significantly in recent years. Such online ad-based social media platforms provide a significant opportunity for advertisers and companies to engage with potential customers. Saudi Arabia has also invested heavily in media and entertainment. In 2014, the state-owned MBC Group launched an ad-free version of its streaming service called Shahid Plus . The total digital revenue of the Shahid platform has consistently increased each year since its launch and has been well-received in other Gulf Cooperation Countries like Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and the wider MENA region. Gaming in Saudi Arabia Gaming is widely popular among Saudis; Saudi Arabia has one of the highest shares of internet users who play video games worldwide.The country is home to both professional and non-professional gamers, who generate revenue through streaming on platforms such as Twitch, participating in competitions, and monetizing their gameplay. In recent years, the industry has witnessed drastic growth. As part of its larger quest to expand the media and entertainment landscape, Saudi Arabia has injected billions of dollars into the gaming industry. Investments are primarily managed through Savvy Games Group, which is a subsidiary of the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

According to this forecast, the penetration will stay nearly the same over the forecast period. The penetration rate refers to the share of the total population.The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in up to 150 countries and regions worldwide. All indicators are sourced from international and national statistical offices, trade associations and the trade press and they are processed to generate comparable data sets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).

As of April 2024, the UAE had the highest social media penetration rate globally out of selected countries and territories, with a whopping 115 percent. Saudi Arabia and South Korea followed, with 96.2 percent and 93.4 percent of active usage reach, respectively. Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria had some of the lowest social network penetration rates in the world, with less than 25 percent of the population accessing social media in each country. The worldwide average rate of social media active usage stood at 62.6 percent as of early 2024, meaning that more than six out every ten people around the world use social networking platforms. How many people use social media? Although the top three countries with the highest social media penetration rates globally were in Eastern and Southwestern Asia in 2023, the region with the greatest social media reach was Northern Europe with 83.6 percent, followed by Western Europe with 83.3 percent and Southern Europe with 76.7 percent. In 2022, more than 4.59 billion people reported using social media, and this number is projected to reach almost six billion by 2027. Facebook: the most popular social network Meta’s Facebook, the social media giant and the first platform to reach this kind of scale, was the leading social network as of October 2023 with more than three billion global monthly active users (MAU). Additionally, Meta owns four of the biggest social media platforms, all with more than one billion MAU each: Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger. As of January 2023, India was home to Facebook’s largest audience with more than 300 million MAU, followed by the United States with 175 million MAU.

Between 2013 and 2020, the number of internet users in Qatar increased consistently each subsequent year. However, this trend ended in 2021, when the number of internet users in the country fell for the first time during the period, dropping by 4.8 percent or roughly 130 thousand users. The total population of Qatar in 2023 was approximately three million. Internet in Qatar Qatar boasts an advanced internet and telecommunications network. The consolidation of its population in an area of less than 4,500 square miles has allowed the country to easily supply its entire population. This has also enabled it to be one of the leading countries in mobile internet speed (896768), although its fixed broadband speeds are not as fast as other countries. The high penetration of reliable internet in the country has also contributed to the growth of streaming platforms such as the MBC Group-owned Shahid and Netflix. Growing digitization in the GCC The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has been pushing for greater digitization of both public and private sector services. Growing investments in digitization efforts are part of a wider effort to offer efficient services and diversify the economy. Today, many government services in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar can easily be accessed online. Many healthcare services, such as booking appointments, conducting physician consultations via video conference, and accessing health documents, can easily be done through a web portal or a mobile application. The proliferation of such services has also stimulated the consumer market, with countries in the GCC reporting record revenue in digital health and the fintech market. Smart Cities is another project cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi have advanced to make public services more efficient. These policies also aim to facilitate sectors, such as education, startups, and businesses, and integrate new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and blockchain.

Social network X/Twitter is particularly popular in the United States, and as of April 2024, the microblogging service had an audience reach of 106.23 million users in the country. Japan and the India were ranked second and third with more than 69 million and 25 million users respectively. Global Twitter usage As of the second quarter of 2021, X/Twitter had 206 million monetizable daily active users worldwide. The most-followed Twitter accounts include figures such as Elon Musk, Justin Bieber and former U.S. president Barack Obama. X/Twitter and politics X/Twitter has become an increasingly relevant tool in domestic and international politics. The platform has become a way to promote policies and interact with citizens and other officials, and most world leaders and foreign ministries have an official Twitter account. Former U.S. president Donald Trump used to be a prolific Twitter user before the platform permanently suspended his account in January 2021. During an August 2018 survey, 61 percent of respondents stated that Trump's use of Twitter as President of the United States was inappropriate.

The share of urban population in Saudi Arabia saw no significant changes in 2023 in comparison to the previous year 2022 and remained at around 84.95 percent. Nevertheless, 2023 still represents a peak in the share in Saudi Arabia. A population may be defined as urban depending on the size (population or area) or population density of the village, town, or city. The urbanization rate then refers to the share of the total population who live in an urban setting. International comparisons may be inconsistent due to differing parameters for what constitutes an urban center.Find more key insights for the share of urban population in countries like Lebanon and Kuwait.

As of 2023, the number of hospitals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stood at 499. This was six more than the previous year. Overall, the country has seen a consistent rise in the number of hospitals in the past decade; however, the prior two years were an anomaly with the number of hospitals dropping for the first time. Medical facilities and privatization of the hospital sector In Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Health remains the main provider of preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative healthcare services. The majority of hospital beds across Saudi Arabia are also owned by the Ministry of Health. While the Kingdom’s health law aims to ensure healthcare provision for all its population in a fair and accessible manner, the constant growth of the population placed a burden on the sustainability of free health services. The development of healthcare through privatization, in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, thus offers a solution to help the state maintain and improve the quality of the public healthcare system. Healthcare amid the COVID-19 pandemic The increasing number of coronavirus cases across the country has encouraged the Saudi Arabian government to further develop and optimize digital health technology platforms (DHTPs). Prior to the pandemic, as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan to promote the accessibility of healthcare, the Minister of Health already introduced Seha, which is a mobile application that allows patients access to remote medical consultations with specialists. May 2019 marked the launch of the e-health app Mawid Service, which facilitates online booking, canceling, and rescheduling of patient appointments at primary health care centers. Amid the pandemic, additional apps and features were also incorporated into the telehealth system, such as Tawakkalna, Ttabaud, and Tataman, which helped mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. In general, the digital transformation of Saudi Arabia’s health sector seemed to have successfully aid the fight against COVID-19, yielding positive public response to the national healthcare system.

As of February 2025, approximately 44.3 percent of TikTok global users were women. By comparison, male users on the popular social video platform were 55.7 percent of the total. TikTok generated 186 million downloads from global users during the last quarter of 2024. TikTok’s popularity TikTok's popularity continues to expand globally, with countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia presenting a reach of virtually over 100 percent as of the end of 2023. In October 2023, the social video platform boasted over 1.2 billion active monthly users, of which United States users represented the largest audience worldwide. U.S. users were particularly active on the platform, spending 32 percent of their online time engaging with TikTok as of February 2023. TikTok’s global revenue TikTok rapidly increased its revenue in the past years. In the third quarter of 2023, TikTok generated 681 million U.S. dollars in revenues from users worldwide. In 2024, it is projected that the social video platform will reach global ad revenue close to 18.5 billion.

In 2023, approximately 70 percent of e-sports gamers in Saudi Arabia were between the ages of 18 and 24. The Huawei Y9 Prime 2019 was the most popular device for mobile e-sports gamers in the country.

From the selected regions, the ranking by number of credit cards in use is led by the United States with 1.1 billion cards and is followed by Japan (295.11 million cards). In contrast, the ranking is trailed by Saudi Arabia with 2.73 million cards, recording a difference of 1.1 billion cards to the United States. Shown is the estimated number of credit cards currently in use.The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in up to 150 countries and regions worldwide. All indicators are sourced from international and national statistical offices, trade associations and the trade press and they are processed to generate comparable data sets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).

In 2022/23, the market size for Islamic fintech in Malaysia amounted to around 11.1 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of approximately six billion U.S. dollars compared to the market size recorded in 2021. The value of the Islamic fintech market in the country was forecasted to exceed 23 billion U.S. dollars by 2027. Vast potential in Islamic banking Islam is the majority religion in Malaysia, with around 63.5 percent of the population belonging to this religious group. The country also has a dual legal system, with Quranic-based Sharia law mainly governing the personal or family matters of the Malay Muslim population. Thus, there is a large market for Islamic finance in Malaysia. In 2022, the Southeast Asian country was the third-leading country with the largest Islamic banking assets in the world, after Iran and Saudi Arabia. Call for innovation in Islamic finance Acknowledging the potential of Islamic fintech, the current Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pledged 100 million Malaysian ringgit in May 2024 to foster innovation in Islamic finance. This financing has the potential to stimulate further growth in the country’s Islamic fintech market. As of 2023, there were 17 Islamic fintech companies in Malaysia. With support from the government, more Sharia-friendly fintech startups will likely flourish in the coming years.

Qatar has the highest per capita carbon dioxide emissions worldwide, at 42.6 metric tons per person. Many countries in the Middle East had high levels emissions, especially when compared to countries in Africa. Greenhouse gas emissions worldwide Some of the Middle East’s largest oil producing countries, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia are among the world’s largest carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitters per capita. Countries such as the United States, Australia and Canada also show disproportionately high levels of emission per inhabitant. Despite a relatively low population for its size, Canada’s CO₂ emissions have recently surpassed 500 million metric tons, and the country is now amongst the largest producers of CO₂ emissions worldwide. Rising emissions Global greenhouse gas emissions have been on the rise since the industrial revolution began approximately 200 years ago. Over the past half-century CO₂ emissions have skyrocketed, and climbed to a record high in recent years. Yet, emissions fell considerably in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused disruptions to transportation and industrial activities.