Internet Penetration Overview
The UAE maintained one of the highest internet penetration rates globally at 99.2% in 2024, with approximately 9.41 million internet users out of a population of 9.48 million. Mobile internet penetration exceeded 100% due to multiple device ownership, with an estimated 16.8 million active mobile internet connections.
Key Digital Indicators
| Indicator | Value (2024) | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Internet penetration | 99.2% | 3rd |
| Mobile connections (% of population) | 177% | 8th |
| Smartphone penetration | 96.4% | 2nd |
| Average mobile download speed (Mbps) | 238.6 | 4th |
| Average fixed broadband speed (Mbps) | 196.4 | 12th |
| 5G coverage (% of population) | 92.6% | 5th |
Connectivity Evolution
| Year | Internet Penetration (%) | Mobile Connections (mn) | Avg. Download Speed (Mbps) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 94.8 | 14.2 | 68.4 |
| 2020 | 96.4 | 15.1 | 112.8 |
| 2022 | 98.1 | 16.2 | 178.4 |
| 2024 | 99.2 | 16.8 | 238.6 |
Social Media Usage
| Platform | Users (millions) | Penetration (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 8.4 | 88.6 | |
| 7.2 | 75.9 | |
| TikTok | 6.8 | 71.7 |
| 5.6 | 59.1 | |
| 4.8 | 50.6 | |
| X (Twitter) | 4.2 | 44.3 |
| Snapchat | 3.8 | 40.1 |
Digital Government Adoption
The UAE ranks among the top 10 globally for e-government development, with over 5,000 government services available online. Key metrics include a 94% digital government transaction rate, over 98% of federal services accessible via mobile, and the UAE Pass digital identity platform reaching 9.1 million registered users.
Telecommunications Infrastructure
The UAE’s telecommunications market is served primarily by two operators, e& (formerly Etisys) and du (EITC), with combined capital expenditure exceeding AED 8.2 billion annually. Both operators have deployed extensive 5G networks using mid-band and millimetre-wave spectrum, with commercial 5G services covering all urban areas.
Fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) penetration reached approximately 96% of premises in Abu Dhabi and 94% in Dubai, placing the UAE among the most fibre-connected countries globally.
E-Commerce Market
The UAE’s e-commerce market reached approximately USD 9.8 billion in 2024, growing at 18% year-on-year. The high digital literacy, strong logistics infrastructure, and widespread digital payment adoption position the UAE as the largest e-commerce market in the GCC region.
Outlook
The UAE’s digital agenda targets maintaining top-five global positions in connectivity indices while expanding into next-generation technologies including 6G research, satellite broadband integration, and AI-powered digital services.