Arab internet users reach 348 million as digital transformation accelerates: Report
Internet users in the Arab region now total approximately 348 million, representing 70.2 per cent of the total population of 496 million, according to research conducted by Galal & Karawi Management Consulting in collaboration with Orient Planet Research.
The study on digital transformation in the Arab World also found that social media usage has increased to 228 million users, or 46 per cent of the total population.
Rising Arab internet penetration
Drawing information from sources including DataReportal, GSMA Intelligence, Statista, Semrush, and Sky, the research compares digital landscapes between the Arab League and European Union.
Eng. Asem Galal, Co-founder of Galal & Karawi Management Consulting, highlighted that digital platforms now form the foundation of Arab governments' engagement strategies with Millennial and Gen Z populations.
He stressed the necessity of developing national digital content that reflects the region's cultural identity while incorporating artificial intelligence technologies.
This approach, Galal explained, plays a crucial role in stimulating community interaction and public participation. His observations align with the digital transformation initiatives implemented by various Arab governments to foster sustainable development and establish a forward-looking digital ecosystem
Dr. Nidal Abou Zaki, Managing Director of Orient Planet Group, noted that 'The statistics are a testament to the expanding digital potential within the Arab region, establishing it as an epicentre for innovation and growth.'
'By embracing the latest technological innovations and fortifying the digital infrastructure, we can enhance global competitiveness, attract investments in technology and knowledge-based sectors, and expedite the process of digital transformation,' he added.
Arab-EU digital gap narrows
The research reveals that the digital divide between the Arab World and European Union is shrinking.
While the EU has approximately 419 million internet users, the Arab region follows with 348 million, a difference of only 71 million users.
Social media usage shows even closer figures, with the EU having roughly 230 million users compared to the Arab World's 228 million.
Egypt leads social media usage in the region with 50.7 million users, followed by Iraq with 34.3 million and Saudi Arabia with 34.1 million.
Algeria ranks fourth with 25.6 million users, while Morocco and the UAE account for 21.3 million and 11.3 million users, respectively.
These countries collectively represent 77 per cent of all social media users in the Arab World.
Platform dominance by region
The study identifies distinct trends in platform preferences across Arab countries. TikTok dominates in Gulf states—Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain—while also maintaining popularity in Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan, Mauritania, Yemen and Somalia.
Facebook remains the primary platform in North African countries (excluding Egypt), including Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Libya, and maintains strong presence in Palestine and the Comoros.
YouTube serves as the main platform for visual, educational and entertainment content in Egypt, Jordan and Oman. Snapchat continues to thrive in the Gulf region, particularly in Saudi Arabia with 24.7 million users.
LinkedIn shows significant usage in economically active countries, with Saudi Arabia recording around 11 million users and the UAE with 9.4 million.
Demographic indicators highlight how the Arab region's young population is shaping its digital future, with individuals under 35 accounting for approximately 62.8 per cent of the total population. The region experiences an annual population growth rate of 2.1 per cent.
In contrast, the EU's youth population represents only 37.6 per cent of the total population, with a growth rate of 0.41 per cent annually.
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