Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The UAE's digital ecosystem continues to expand in 2025, with recent reports revealing that nearly every resident is online, mobile connections outnumber the population, and internet speeds remain among the fastest globally.
GSMA Intelligence reports that the UAE had 21.9 million mobile connections in early 2025 - 195% of the country's population - as widespread device ownership and multiple subscriptions for work and personal use drove figures beyond the number of residents. The mobile sector also saw a steady rise in adoption, with 801,000 new connections added between 2024 and 2025, marking a 3.8% increase.
According to DataReportal's latest research, internet penetration in the UAE remains near universal, with 99% of the population - 11.1 million people - having online access, while Kepios data reveals that the number of internet users increased by 372,000 (3.5%) over the past year.
The country's investment in cutting-edge digital infrastructure has ensured that connectivity is not only widespread but also exceptionally fast.
Mobile internet speeds in the UAE averaged 441.89 Mbps in early 2025, according to Ookla, while fixed broadband speeds reached 300.65 Mbps, placing the nation among the global leaders in internet performance.
Social Media Dominance Grows
With digital connectivity firmly embedded in daily life, social media has become one of the most influential aspects of online engagement.
Figures from DataReportal indicate that there were 11.3 million active social media user identities in the UAE at the start of 2025, equivalent to 100% of the population. The number of social media users increased by 519,000 since 2024, marking a 4.8% rise, Kepios data added.
Social media penetration among those aged 18 and above stands at 123.1%, indicating that many individuals operate multiple accounts across different platforms for personal, professional, and commercial use.
Facebook remains one of the country's most widely used social media networks. According to Meta's advertising resources, the platform boasted 9.70 million users in early 2025, covering 86.5% of the total population and 87.4% of internet users.
Between January 2024 and January 2025, Facebook's ad reach grew by 600,000 (+6.6%), with an additional 650,000 (+7.2%) users joining between October 2024 and January 2025.
Meta's Messenger platform has 5.85 million users - 52.2% penetration rate - while its ad reach increased by 200,000 users in the past year, a 3.5% rise. Among adults aged 18 and above, Messenger's reach extends to 64%, and 60.7% of users aged 13+ are also active on the platform.
Instagram, also owned by Meta, retains a strong presence with 7.6 million users, reaching 67.8% of the population. Instagram's advertising audience in the UAE expanded by 600,000 users over the past year, an 8.6% increase, with another 700,000 joining the group in the final quarter of 2024, marking a 10.1% rise in just three months.
YouTube is another favourite among social media users in the UAE, with Google's advertising resources revealing that the platform had 8.25 million users in early 2025, representing 73.6% of the total population and 74.3% of the internet user base. YouTube's ad audience in the UAE skews heavily male, with 71.4% of users, while 28.6% are female.
TikTok has emerged as another major player in the UAE's social media scene, with 11.3 million users aged 18 and above recorded in late 2024, according to the company's data. This figure represents 123.1% of all adults and 101.3% of the internet user base, indicating widespread adoption across multiple demographics. Between 2024 and 2025, TikTok's ad reach grew by 519,000 (+4.8%), with an additional 530,000 (+4.9%) users joining in the final quarter of 2024.
Snapchat, known for its appeal among younger demographics, had 5.09 million users, equating to 45.4% of the population. The platform remains popular among users aged 13 and above, with a 52.8% penetration rate, while 49.6% of adults over 18 actively use it.
X, formerly Twitter, retains a smaller but engaged audience, with 3.01 million users, covering 26.9% of the population. Among users aged 13+, penetration stands at 31.3%, while adults comprise 32.6% of its UAE audience. X's ad reach accounts for 27.1% of the UAE's internet user base, positioning it as a platform used primarily for news, politics, and real-time conversations.
For professionals, LinkedIn remains the go-to platform, with 9.40 million members in the UAE as of 2025, representing 83.8% of the total population and 84.7% of internet users.
