Saudi Arabia's Digital Economy Thrives: 99% Internet Penetration, 63.7% Online Shopping, 44 GB Mobile Data Consumption
In 2023, Saudi Arabia achieved nearly 100% internet penetration, and online shopping increased to 63.7%.
The Communications, Space and Technology Commission published the Saudi Internet Report 2023, which analyzed internet usage patterns and preferences.
Over half of internet users in the Kingdom spent 7 hours or more online daily, with peak usage between 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on Fridays.
Mobile phone usage for browsing reached 98.9%, and the monthly mobile internet data consumption per capita was 44 GB, three times the global average.
The report reveals the most widely used social media apps in Saudi Arabia were WhatsApp, Snapchat, and YouTube, while Nafath, Absher, and Tawakkalna Services topped the list of most downloaded government apps in 2023.
The report, released at the Communications and Technology Indicators Forum 2024, provides statistics on internet usage in Saudi Arabia to enhance digital services, empower investors, and build a prosperous digital economy.
With 36.84 million internet users in 2024, 94.3% of the population used social media.
In early 2024, there were 49.89 million cellular mobile connections in Saudi Arabia, which was 134.1% of the total population.
The commission's annual internet report provides accurate statistics on internet usage and infrastructure development in the Kingdom.
The goal is to improve digital services for both public and private sectors, attract investments, and foster a thriving digital economy.
The report shows an increase in internet usage based on gender, age, and regions.