Saudi Arabia Hits 99% Internet Usage Among 15–74-Year-Olds, GASTAT Reports
Among Saudi nationals, the rate reached 99.3%, while 98.6% of non-Saudis reported internet usage.
The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has released the results of the 2025 ICT Access and Usage by Households and Individuals survey, revealing that internet use in Saudi Arabia remains exceptionally high. Overall, 99.0% of individuals aged 15–74 reported using the internet, with usage rates of 99.0% among males and 98.9% among females. Among Saudi nationals, the rate reached 99.3%, while 98.6% of non-Saudis reported internet usage. Internet adoption among Saudi males and females was similarly high, at 99.5% and 99.2%, respectively.
The survey found that 98.7% of individuals access the internet from home, while 48.7% use it while traveling or on the move. Daily internet engagement is widespread, with 96.8% of respondents using the internet at least once per day. A smaller proportion, 2.4%, use it weekly but not daily, and 0.8% access it monthly. Mobile phones remain the dominant device for internet access, used by 98.4% of individuals, followed by tablets at 9.9%, laptops at 8.6%, and other mobile devices at 1.3%.
Saudi residents are increasingly engaging with online content and services. About 79.4% of individuals watch video content online, 32.0% listen to audio content, and 11.5% participate in online gaming. Social media remains the most popular activity, with 96.2% of internet users aged 15–74 participating in social networking platforms. Other common uses include researching goods and services, which accounted for 57.2% of users.
The survey also highlights the growth of digital government services and e-commerce. Online government service usage reached 98.2% overall, with similar rates among Saudi nationals. The most commonly used e-government service involved benefiting from government services, utilized by 92.7% of online users. Meanwhile, 71.0% of individuals make online purchases, including 80.2% of Saudi nationals, with women slightly outpacing men in e-commerce activity. Clothing, footwear, and sports goods were the most frequently purchased items online, accounting for 88.8% of online shoppers, followed by cosmetics at 40.2%.
GASTAT emphasized that its methodology aligns with international statistical standards, ensuring comparability of indicators and accuracy of the findings. The survey underscores the high level of digital penetration across Saudi Arabia and highlights the central role of internet access in daily life, commerce, and government interactions.
