GCC’s internet users soar over 98% of total population

GCC countries achieved significant shifts in ICT use during the past two decades, making a huge difference in the services provided to users as they advance their digital infrastructure, according to the GCC ICT Use Index 2021, a report recently released by Orient Planet Research (OPR).

The report stated that GCC countries had strengthened their leading position at both regional and international levels with an increase of more than 98 per cent of internet users in 2021 and regional mobile subscribers now accounting for 137.66 per cent of its total population.

According to the report, the continuous entry of more private mobile service providers to the region has accelerated the rapid development of ICT services in the GCC countries, leading to a significant increase in users. Further, the region’s ICT development has helped strengthen its digital economy, enhanced the level of productivity and competitiveness, and created new methods to ensure direct access to the government e-Services, while keeping pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Nidal Abou Zaki, Managing Director, OPG, said: “The GCC countries have an advanced ICT infrastructure, making them highly competitive at the regional and global levels. Their robust digital transformation efforts and high scores in key ICT indicators show that the region is well-equipped to adapt to the changes brought about by the global ICT revolution that has been taking place since the 1990s. Moreover, the progress made in terms of the wide use of ICT created a positive impact on enhancing the lifestyle of citizens, strengthening the role of the digital economy, and positioning the Gulf countries as global ICT leaders, backed by a vision to keep pace with future developments and the implementation of economic diversification strategies for a post-oil era.”

Based on the Gulf ICT Use Index and data from International Telecommunications Union, the prevalence of internet and telecommunications services in GCC countries is significantly above the global average. It is almost the highest globally in all regions, with the proportion of internet users in GCC countries compared with the population reaching 98.21 per cent, while the world average is 63 per cent. Total mobile subscribers in GCC countries account for about 137.66 per cent of the population, while the world average is approximately 55 per cent.

Data also indicated that, on average, the number of subscribers in fixed broadband services relative to the population was 20.88 per cent in the GCC countries. In comparison, the percentage of mobile broadband services subscribers averaged 138 per cent of the total population.

The UAE took the lead in the GCC ICT Use Index for 2021, achieving 5.43 points, followed by Kuwait with 3.74 points. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia ranked third with 3.64 points; Qatar, fourth with 3.62 points; Sultanate of Oman, fifth with 3.49 points; and Bahrain, sixth with 3.38 points.

The Sultanate of Oman also scored sixth in the number of internet users with a rating of 95.23 per cent; third in the mobile subscribers and fixed broadband subscriptions, 133.85 per cent and 10.85 per cent, respectively; and fifth in the mobile broadband subscriptions, 114.85 per cent.