Saudi Arabia goes fully online as internet use tops 99% – report

Internet usage in Saudi Arabia has reached near-universal levels, with more than 99 per cent of citizens and residents now online, according to the latest national survey released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

The 2025 survey on access to and use of information and communication technology among households and individuals found that 99.3 per cent of Saudi citizens and 98.6 per cent of non-Saudis use the internet.

Overall, 99 per cent of people aged between 15 and 74 in the Kingdom are connected, highlighting the scale of Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation.

Internet use is consistent across genders, with usage at 99 per cent among males and 98.9 per cent among females. Among Saudi nationals, 99.5 per cent of men and 99.2 per cent of women reported using the internet, indicating a minimal digital divide.

Connectivity at home is almost universal. The survey showed that 98.7 per cent of individuals access the internet at home, while 48.7 per cent use it while travelling or commuting. Frequency of use is also high, with 96.8 per cent of users going online at least once a day. A further 2.4 per cent access the internet weekly but not daily, while just 0.8 per cent use it monthly.

Mobile phones dominate as the primary access device, used by 98.4 per cent of internet users. Tablets were used by 9.9 per cent, laptops by 8.6 percent and other mobile devices by 1.3 per cent, reflecting the Kingdom’s mobile-first digital behaviour.

Social, shopping, and services go digital

Online activities are led by social interaction and entertainment. Social networking sites were used by 96.2 per cent of internet users, followed by searching for information about goods and services at 57.2 per cent. Around 79.4 per cent of users watch online video content, while 32 per cent listen to audio content and 11.5 per cent play games online.

The survey also highlighted the widespread adoption of digital government services. About 98.2 per cent of individuals reported having access to government services online. This includes 98.2 per cent of Saudis, with usage slightly higher among males at 98.6 per cent compared with 97.9 per cent among females. The most commonly used e-government service was accessing government portals, used by 92.7 per cent of online users.

E-commerce continues to gain traction, with 71 per cent of individuals purchasing goods and services online. Saudis accounted for 80.2 per cent of online shoppers, with higher participation among women at 82.8 per cent compared with 77.6 per cent among men. Clothing, footwear and sporting goods were the most frequently purchased items, representing 88.8 per cent of online purchases, followed by cosmetics at 40.2 per cent.

The findings underline Saudi Arabia’s position as one of the region’s most digitally connected societies, with widespread internet access underpinning daily life, online commerce and digital government services.