Number of internet users Saudi Arabia 2015-2024
The number of internet users in Saudi Arabia peaked in 2024, growing by nearly half a million new users over the previous year. Apart from 2021, when there was a slight dip in the internet user base in the country, since 2015, the number of users has increased consistently each subsequent year. The biggest increase in internet users was recorded in 2017, when it jumped by roughly seven million, crossing 30 million users for the first time. The country is expected to continue this overall trend, with the number of internet users expected to reach another milestone by the end of the decade.
Internet in Saudi Arabia
Internet in Saudi Arabia is characterized by strong infrastructure, broad coverage, and fast speeds. The number of internet users in the country has continued to grow in line with the rising mobile internet user penetration rate . This is also indicative of the preferred device type for accessing the internet among users. Social media comprises a sizable portion of internet usage in Saudi Arabia, as in many countries, and more than half of users subscribe to multiple platforms. Topping the list of most-used social media platforms were META-owned companies.
Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia is undergoing an ambitious project known as Vision 2030 to diversify its economy and wean itself off oil dependency. One of the cornerstones of this initiative is to revamp its technological infrastructure to support the transition of many public and private sector services into the digital age. Some recently published public sector achievements reveal the tangible steps the government has taken to expand connectivity and digitize many public services. Additionally, the country has invested billions into tech start-ups, fintech, e-commerce, and other sectors that rely on a robust network infrastructure.
