Internet usage in Saudi Arabia reaches 99.6% in 2026, GASTAT reports
RIYADH — Internet usage in Saudi Arabia reached 99.6 percent among individuals aged 15 to 74 in 2026, while social networking participation stood at 99.7 percent among internet users, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The authority’s ICT Access and Usage Statistics by House
RIYADH — Internet usage in Saudi Arabia reached 99.6 percent among individuals aged 15 to 74 in 2026, while social networking participation stood at 99.7 percent among internet users, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The authority’s ICT Access and Usage Statistics by Households and Individuals 2026 report showed that internet usage reached 99.8 percent among Saudi males and 99.5 percent among Saudi females. Individuals aged 15 to 24 recorded the highest internet usage rate at 99.9 percent, while 99.3 percent of individuals aged 15 to 74 reported using the internet at home. The report also found that 98 percent of individuals in this age group used the internet at least once a day, with 98.4 percent accessing it through mobile phones. Social networking was the most common online activity, with 99.7 percent of internet users participating in social networks, followed by 65.4 percent seeking information about goods or services. **media[2788432]** Meanwhile, 87.8 percent of internet users watched video content online, 55.2 percent listened to audio content and 19.4 percent used the internet to play games. In digital government services, 98.4 percent of individuals aged 15 to 74 used the internet to access government services, with the rate reaching 98.6 percent among Saudis. The report showed that 89 percent of individuals using online government services obtained electronic government forms. Online shopping also recorded widespread participation, with 74.5 percent of internet users aged 15 to 74 purchasing goods or services online. Among Saudis, the online shopping rate reached 84.9 percent, with Saudi females recording 86.8 percent compared with 83.1 percent among Saudi males. Clothing, footwear, sporting goods and household products were the most commonly purchased items online, accounting for 85.2 percent of online shoppers, followed by food, groceries and tobacco at 54.4 percent. According to GASTAT, the statistics are based on the ICT Access and Usage by Households and Individuals 2026 survey, conducted using a standardized methodology aligned with internationally recognized statistical practices.