Saudi Arabia Becomes Nearly Fully Digital as Internet Usage Surpasses 99%

Saudi Arabia has reached a major digital milestone, with internet usage now exceeding 99 per cent among citizens and residents, according to the latest national survey released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The findings highlight the Kingdom’s rapid progress toward becoming one of the world’s most connected societies.

The 2025 GASTAT survey on access to and use of information and communication technology revealed that 99.3 per cent of Saudi citizens and 98.6 per cent of non-Saudis are internet users. Overall, around 99 per cent of people aged 15 to 74 in the Kingdom are now connected, underscoring the scale of Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation.

Internet usage is nearly equal across genders. Usage stands at 99 per cent among males and 98.9 per cent among females, while among Saudi nationals specifically, 99.5 per cent of men and 99.2 per cent of women reported using the internet, indicating a minimal digital divide.

Home connectivity is almost universal, with 98.7 per cent of individuals accessing the internet from their homes. Meanwhile, 48.7 per cent reported using the internet while travelling or commuting. Frequency of use is also remarkably high, as 96.8 per cent of users go online daily, while only a small fraction access the internet weekly or monthly.

Mobile phones remain the dominant gateway to the digital world in Saudi Arabia, used by 98.4 per cent of internet users. Tablets are used by 9.9 per cent, laptops by 8.6 per cent, and other mobile devices by 1.3 per cent, reflecting the Kingdom’s strong mobile-first digital behaviour.

Online activity is led by social interaction and entertainment. Social networking platforms are used by 96.2 per cent of users, while 79.4 per cent watch online video content. Searching for information on goods and services accounts for 57.2 per cent, while 32 per cent listen to audio content and 11.5 per cent engage in online gaming.

The survey also highlighted the widespread use of digital government services. Around 98.2 per cent of individuals reported access to online government services, with government portals being the most commonly used e-service, accessed by 92.7 per cent of online users.

E-commerce continues to expand rapidly, with 71 per cent of individuals shopping online. Saudi nationals make up 80.2 per cent of online shoppers, with women leading participation at 82.8 per cent, compared with 77.6 per cent among men. Clothing, footwear and sporting goods topped online purchases at 88.8 per cent, followed by cosmetics at 40.2 per cent.

The findings reinforce Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional leader in digital connectivity, with near-universal internet access supporting everyday life, e-commerce growth and the expansion of digital government services across the Kingdom.